Powered chairs for public venues, assemblies for use in powered chairs, and components for use in assemblies for use in powered chairs

ABSTRACT

Powered recliner chairs, assemblies for use in the chairs, and components for use in the assemblies are provided. Electrical systems for use in the chairs, and components for use in the electrical systems are provided. Control systems and methods for operating powered recliner chairs are also provided. Any given chair may be locally and/or remotely controlled.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/800,182, filed Nov. 1, 2017, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/675,865, filed Aug. 14, 2017, and Ser. No.15/710,768, filed Sep. 20, 2017, the entire disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference thereto. The present application claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/631,457,filed Feb. 15, 2018, and 62/477,421, filed Mar. 27, 2017, the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

The present application is related to commonly assigned patentapplication Ser. Nos. 61/287,418, filed Jan. 26, 2016; 62/366,006, filedJul. 23, 2016; 62/394,281, filed Sep. 14, 2016; and 62/432,600, filedDec. 11, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated hereinby references thereto. The present application is also related to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/331,404, filed Jul. 15, 2014; Ser. No.14/636,045, filed Mar. 2, 2015; Ser. No. 14/728,401, filed Jun. 2, 2015;Ser. No. 14/788,767, filed Jun. 30, 2015; and PCT/US16/25803, filed Apr.3, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreferences thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to powered chairs. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to locally and/or remotelycontrolled powered recliner chairs for use within an associated venue.

BACKGROUND

Powered recliner chairs are currently available that operateindividually, such that an occupant of the respective chair may reorientthe respective chair between an upright orientation and a reclinedorientation via a local control. Similarly, known power-assisted chairsmay include a motor-operated lift mechanism for aiding persons thatrequire assistance in entering or exiting the chair. Motor-operated liftmechanisms may be interconnected between a stationary base assembly anda moveable chair frame. Alternatively, some power-assisted chairsinclude separate linkage mechanisms for permitting the seat occupant toselectively extend and retract a leg rest assembly and/or producereclining angular movement between an upright first orientation and areclined second orientation.

Conventional rocking chairs may include a chair body and a substantiallyarc-shaped support bracket mounted on a bottom of the chair body. Thus,when a user applies a force on the chair body by his/her own gravity,the support bracket may function as a rocking fulcrum of the chair bodyso that the rocking chair is rocked forward and backward. However, theuser has to exert a force on the chair body so as to rock the rockingchair, so that the user seated on the rocking chair cannot relaxhimself/herself, thereby easily causing an uncomfortable sensation tothe user.

Power-assisted chairs may be adapted to provide the lift and tiltfunction in combination with a leg rest and/or reclining function.Chairs which provide such a combination of multi-positional functionsgenerally require use of multiple motors for driving separate linkages,which results in extremely large and expensive chair units. In addition,most power-assisted chairs incorporate a drive mechanism that employsboth a power drive function for extending the leg rest, lifting thechair, and reclining the chair, and a power return function forreturning the chair to the normal seated position (e.g., an uprightorientation).

An important characteristic of power-assisted chairs is the ability tosupport heavy loads during the lift and tilt functions. Morespecifically, power-assisted chairs are designed to support individualsof a particular weight. Typically, power-assisted chairs that areadapted to support weight above a particular threshold, such as 300pounds, require multiple motors.

In any event, known powered chair are, at most, controlled via a localcontroller.

SUMMARY

A venue seating management system may include a chair controllerincluding at least one input selected from the group: a local user chaircontrol input, a remote chair control input, a movie queue input, avenue sound system input, an emergency electric power source input, achair ticket purchase input, a manually operated fire alarm input, anautomatically operated fire alarm input, a carbon monoxide sensor input,a smoke sensor input, a sound detector input, a gunshot detector input,a scream detector input, a personal electronic device input, a mobiletelephone input, a portable data assistant input, a laptop computerinput, a computer input, a proximity sensor input, a universal serialbus (USB) port input, a capacitance sensor input, an ultra-sonic sensorinput, a light sensor input, a touch sensor input, a proximity switchinput, a limit switch input, an actuator electric current sensor input,a chair heater electric current sensor input, a chair cooling unitcurrent sensor input, an electric power outlet current sensor input, alighting unit current sensor input, a chair massage unit current sensorinput, a pressure sensor input, a strain gauge sensor input, amicrophone input, a motion sensor input, a temperature sensor input, asonar sensor input, a WiFi communications input, a local area networkcommunications input, a Bluetooth wireless communications input, a nearfield communications input, or a venue concessions input. The chaircontroller may also include at least one output selected from the group:a chair actuator output, a chair information display output, a chairlighting unit output, an electric power output, a chair heater output, achair cooling unit output, a chair massage unit output, a USB portoutput, a Bluetooth wireless communications output, a local area networkcommunications output, a near field communications output, a venue soundsystem output, a venue concessions output, or an electric power outletoutput. At least one of: an electric power supply, an electric powerdemand, a venue business function, or a venue maintenance function, maybe managed by controlling the at least one output based upon the atleast one input.

In another embodiment, a venue seating management system may include achair controller including at least one input selected from the group: alocal user chair control input, a remote chair control input, a moviequeue input, an emergency electric power source input, an actuatorelectric current sensor input, a chair heater electric current sensorinput, a chair cooling unit current sensor input, a lighting unitcurrent sensor input, an electric power outlet current sensor input, achair massage unit current sensor input. The chair controller may alsoinclude at least one output selected from the group: a chair actuatoroutput, a chair lighting unit output, an electric power output, a chairheater output, a chair cooling unit output, a chair massage unit output,a USB port output, or an electric power outlet output. At least one of:an electric power supply or an electric power demand, may be controlledby controlling the at least one output based upon the at least oneinput.

In a further embodiment, a venue seating management system may include achair controller including at least one input selected from the group: alocal user chair control input, a remote chair control input, a moviequeue input, a venue sound system input, an emergency electric powersource input, a chair ticket purchase input, a manually operated firealarm input, an automatically operated fire alarm input, a carbonmonoxide sensor input, a smoke sensor input, a sound detector input, agunshot detector input, a scream detector input, a personal electronicdevice input, a mobile telephone input, a portable data assistant input,a laptop computer input, a computer input, a proximity sensor input, auniversal serial bus (USB) port input, a capacitance sensor input, anultra-sonic sensor input, a light sensor input, a touch sensor input, aproximity switch input, a limit switch input, an actuator electriccurrent sensor input, a chair heater electric current sensor input, alighting unit current sensor input, a chair cooling unit current sensorinput, an electric power outlet current sensor input, a chair massageunit current sensor input, a pressure sensor input, a strain gaugesensor input, a microphone input, a motion sensor input, a temperaturesensor input, a sonar sensor input, a WiFi communications input, a localarea network communications input, a Bluetooth wireless communicationsinput, a near field communications input, or a venue concessions input.The chair controller may include at least one output selected from thegroup: a chair actuator output, a chair information display output, achair lighting unit output, an electric power output, a chair heateroutput, a chair cooling unit output, a chair massage unit output, a USBport output, a Bluetooth wireless communications output, a local areanetwork communications output, a near field communications output, avenue sound system output, a venue concessions output, or an electricpower outlet output. A venue maintenance function may be managed bycontrolling the at least one output based upon the at least one input.

In yet a further embodiment, a venue seating management system mayinclude a chair controller including at least one input selected fromthe group: a local user chair control input, a remote chair controlinput, a movie queue input, a venue sound system input, an emergencyelectric power source input, a chair ticket purchase input, a manuallyoperated fire alarm input, an automatically operated fire alarm input, acarbon monoxide sensor input, a smoke sensor input, a sound detectorinput, a gunshot detector input, a scream detector input, a personalelectronic device input, a mobile telephone input, a portable dataassistant input, a laptop computer input, a computer input, a proximitysensor input, a universal serial bus (USB) port input, a capacitancesensor input, an ultra-sonic sensor input, a light sensor input, a touchsensor input, a proximity switch input, a limit switch input, anactuator electric current sensor input, a chair heater electric currentsensor input, a chair cooling unit current sensor input, an electricpower outlet current sensor input, a lighting unit current sensor input,a chair massage unit current sensor input, a pressure sensor input, astrain gauge sensor input, a microphone input, a motion sensor input, atemperature sensor input, a sonar sensor input, a WiFi communicationsinput, a local area network communications input, a Bluetooth wirelesscommunications input, a near field communications input, or a venueconcessions input. The chair controller may include at least one outputselected from the group: a chair actuator output, a chair informationdisplay output, a chair lighting unit output, an electric power output,a chair heater output, a chair cooling unit output, a chair massage unitoutput, a USB port output, a Bluetooth wireless communications output, alocal area network communications output, a near field communicationsoutput, a venue sound system output, a venue concessions output, or anelectric power outlet output. A venue business function may be managedby controlling the at least one output based upon the at least oneinput.

An electrical system for a plurality of powered recliner chairs mayinclude an electric supply connected to an input of an electric powersource. A first rated voltage of the input to the electric power supplymay be higher than a second rated voltage of an output of the electricpower supply. The system may also include a first electricalinterconnection extending from the output of the electric power supplyto a first actuator in a first chair, a second electricalinterconnection extending from the output of the electric power supplyto a second actuator in a second chair, and a power demand managementdevice. The power demand management device may control a power flow fromthe electric power supply.

In another embodiment, an electrical system for a plurality of poweredrecliner chairs may include a first electric power supply connected toan input of a first electric power source. A first rated voltage of theinput to the first electric power supply may be higher than a secondrated voltage of an output of the electric power supply. The system mayalso include a first electrical interconnection extending from theoutput of the first electric power supply to a first actuator in thefirst chair, a second electrical interconnection extending from theoutput of the first electric power supply to a second actuator in thesecond chair, and a third electrical interconnection extending from thefirst electric power source to a second electric power supply. Thesecond electric power supply may provide electric power to at least oneof: an aisle light, a user interface, a row light, or a seatidentification.

In a further embodiment, an electrical system for a plurality of poweredrecliner chairs may include an electric supply connected to an input ofan electric power source. A first rated voltage of the input to theelectric power supply may be higher than a second rated voltage of anoutput of the electric power supply. The system may also include a firstelectrical interconnection extending from the output of the electricpower supply to a first actuator in a first chair, a second electricalinterconnection extending from the output of the electric power supplyto a second actuator in a second chair, a local user interface mountedin the first chair, and a remote user interface physically separatedfrom the first chair and the second chair. Activation of the local userinterface may reorient the first chair from a first orientation to asecond orientation. Activation of the remote user interface may reorientboth the first chair and the second chair.

In yet a further embodiment, an electrical system for a plurality ofpowered recliner chairs may include an electric supply connected to aninput of a first electric power source. A first rated voltage of theinput to the electric power supply may be higher than a second ratedvoltage of an output of the electric power supply. The system may alsoinclude a first electrical interconnection extending from the output ofthe electric power supply to a first electric actuator motor of a firstactuator of a first chair, a second electrical interconnection extendingfrom the output of the electric power supply to a second electric motorof a second actuator of a second chair, and at least one energy storagedevice connected to the output of the electric power supply orincorporated within an uninterruptible power supply connected to theinput of the electric power supply. The at least one energy storagedevice may include at least one of: a battery or a capacitor. Theelectric power supply and the at least one energy storage device mayprovide electric power to the first electric motor and the secondelectric motor.

A powered recliner chair system may include at least one first poweredrecliner chair assigned to a first control group. The at least one firstpowered recliner chair may be assigned to the first control group by atleast one of: a first pin and shorting block, a first push button, or afirst entry in a memory. The system may also include at least one secondpowered recliner chair assigned to a second control group. The at leastone second powered recliner chair may be assigned to the second controlgroup by at least one of: a second pin and shorting block, a second pushbutton, or a second entry in a memory. The system may further include afirst remote control input to reorient the at least one first poweredrecliner chair to a first orientation. The system may yet furtherinclude a second remote control input to reorient the at least onesecond powered recliner chair to a second orientation. The firstorientation is independent of the second orientation. Datarepresentative of the first remote control input and the second remoteinput may be transmitted via at least one of: a hardwired communicationnetwork, or a wireless network connection.

In another embodiment, a powered recliner chair may include at least oneactuator having a first input and a second input. The actuator may beconfigured to reorient at least a portion of the powered recliner chairbetween an upright orientation and a reclined orientation in response tothe first input. The actuator may be configured to reorient at least theportion of the powered recliner chair between the recline orientationand the upright orientation in response to the second input. The poweredrecliner chair may also include a control module having a local input, aremote input, a first output, and a second output. The first output maybe connected to the first input. The second output may be connected tothe second input. The local input may be connected to a chair occupantuser interface that may enable a chair occupant to reorient the poweredrecliner chair while the chair occupant is seated in the chair. Theremote input may be connected to a remote user interface that may bephysically separate from the powered recliner chair and may enable aremote operator to reorient the powered recliner chair remote from thepowered recliner chair.

In a further embodiment, a method for controlling a plurality of poweredrecliner chairs may include assigning at least one first poweredrecliner chair to a first control group, and assigning at least onesecond powered recliner chair to a second control group. The method mayalso include causing the at least one first powered recliner chair toreorient to a first orientation in response to a first remote controlinput. The method may further include causing the at least one secondpowered recliner chair to reorient to a second orientation in responseto a second remote control input. The first orientation may beindependent of the second orientation.

In yet another embodiment, a powered recliner chair system may includeat least one of: a channel or an arm box; and at least one of: powerwiring or data wiring. The at least one of: the power wiring or the datawiring may be routed through the at least one of: the channel or the armbox from a first powered recliner chair to a second powered reclinerchair.

In yet a further embodiment, a powered recliner chair system may includea smart power supply. The smart power supply automatically may prohibita second powered recliner chair from starting to reorient at the sametime that a first chair starts to reorient.

In another embodiment, a powered recliner chair may include a battery, apower supply and an electric actuator motor. The power supply and thebattery may be configured to provide a constant voltage to the electricactuator motor.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after a careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computer system formanaging powered reclining chairs and venues that include poweredreclining chairs;

FIGS. 2-4 depict perspective views of powered reclining chairs;

FIGS. 5A-D depict various powered reclining chair positions;

FIG. 6 depicts an example powered reclining chair with a rockingfeature;

FIG. 7 depicts an example powered lifting mechanism for poweredreclining chair;

FIG. 8 depicts an example controller assembly for a powered recliningchair;

FIGS. 9A-C depict an example controller assembly for a powered recliningchair;

FIGS. 10A-C depict an example controller assembly for a poweredreclining chair;

FIGS. 11A-C depict an example local control for a powered recliningchair;

FIGS. 12A-B depict bottom perspective views of an example poweredreclining chair;

FIGS. 13A-B depict block diagrams for example recliner chair controlsystems;

FIGS. 14A-H and 14J-K depict example recliner chairs and related controlcomponents;

FIGS. 15A-D depict various views of example reclining chair armstructures;

FIGS. 16A-F depict example powered reclining chair electricalinterconnections;

FIGS. 17A-F depict various views of example powered recliner chairassemblies;

FIGS. 18A-H and 18J-L depict various view of electrical power andcontrol assemblies for use in powered recliner chairs;

FIG. 19 depicts a flow diagram of an example method for controlling aplurality of powered recliner chairs;

FIG. 20A depicts an example chair with an accessory tray in a non-useposition;

FIG. 20B depicts an example chair with an accessory tray in an in-useposition;

FIGS. 21A-21C depict various views of an example accessory trayassembly;

FIGS. 22A-22D depict various views of an example accessory tray assemblysupport;

FIG. 23A-23E depict various views of an example accessory tray assembly;

FIGS. 24A-24G depict various views of an example accessory tray assemblysupport and tray base;

FIGS. 25A and 25B depict an example accessory tray base;

FIGS. 26A-26D depict various views of an example outer bearing for usewithin accessory tray assemblies;

FIGS. 27A-27C depict various views of an example biasing spring for usewithin accessory tray assemblies;

FIGS. 28A and 28B depict various views and components of an exampleaccessory tray assembly and related chair attachment components;

FIGS. 29A and 29B depict various views and components of an exampleaccessory tray assembly and related attachment components;

FIGS. 30A-30C depict various views and components of an exampleaccessory tray assembly and related attachment components;

FIG. 31A depicts a front, top, perspective view of an example cupholder;

FIG. 31B depicts a bottom, rear, perspective view of an example cupholder;

FIG. 31C depicts a top plan view of an example cup holder;

FIG. 31D depicts a bottom plan view of an example cup holder;

FIG. 32A depicts a front, top, perspective view of an example cupholder;

FIG. 32B depicts a bottom, rear, perspective view of an example cupholder;

FIG. 32C depicts a top plan view of an example cup holder;

FIG. 32D depicts a bottom plan view of an example cup holder;

FIG. 33A depicts a front, top, perspective view of an example cupholder;

FIG. 33B depicts a bottom, rear, perspective view of an example cupholder;

FIG. 33C depicts a top plan view of an example cup holder;

FIG. 33D depicts a bottom plan view of an example cup holder;

FIG. 34A depicts a front, top, perspective view of an example cupholder;

FIG. 34B depicts a bottom, rear, perspective view of an example cupholder;

FIG. 34C depicts a top plan view of an example cup holder;

FIG. 34D depicts a bottom plan view of an example cup holder;

FIG. 35 depicts an example wireless chair controller;

FIG. 36 depicts an example display;

FIGS. 37A-D depict various views of an example display assembly;

FIGS. 38A and 38B depict various views of an example pivotally stowawaytray assembly with accessory compartment;

FIG. 39 depicts an example pivotally stowaway tray assembly withaccessory compartment;

FIGS. 40A and 40B depict various views of an example pivotally stowawaytray assembly with accessory compartment;

FIGS. 41A-D depict various views of example components for use withinpowered recliner chairs;

FIGS. 42A-D depict various views of an example removable chair seatframe;

FIGS. 43A and 43B depict example arm boxes for use with powered reclinerchairs;

FIGS. 44A and 44B depict example user interfaces for use with poweredrecliner chairs;

FIGS. 44C and 44D depict an example user interfaces for use with poweredrecliner chairs;

FIG. 45 depicts an example cup holder having a user interface for usewith powered recliner chairs;

FIGS. 46A-D depict various views of an example assembly for use withpowered recliner chairs;

FIGS. 47A-E depict various views of example mounting feet for use withpowered recliner chairs;

FIGS. 48A-H, J and K depict various views of example recliner mechanismstructure electrical components;

FIGS. 49A-D depict various views of example booster seats and relatedcomponents;

FIGS. 50A-G depict various views of an example display assemblies;

FIGS. 51A-F depict various views of an example display assemblies;

FIGS. 52A-C depict various views of an example mounting foot for use ina powered recliner chair assembly;

FIGS. 53A-E depict various views of an example foldable tray assemblyfor use within various rocker style chair assemblies, beam mounted chairassemblies and/or power recliner chair assemblies; and

FIGS. 54A-G depict various views of an example foldable tray assemblyfor use within various rocker style chair assemblies, beam mounted chairassemblies and/or power recliner chair assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Powered recliner chairs, assemblies for use in the powered reclinerchairs, and components for use in the assemblies are provided. Relatedsystems and methods may enable remote operation of the powered reclinerchairs, thereby, may lower cost of associated routine maintenance andassociated venue cleaning.

For example, a remote master controller may control multiple poweredchairs. The master controller may be controlled/operated by venuemanagement to ensure safe and efficient operation of a plurality ofpowered recliner chairs. A master controller may contain securityfeatures such as a key lock, password protection, security handshakeaccess, etc.

A local master controller may be, for example, located at an end of arow of chairs, within a section of chairs, or in a secured locationselected by venue management. A remote master controller may be accessedwirelessly, via a hard wired connection, and/or locally. A mastercontroller may interact with other systems (e.g., emergency systems,food/drink vending operations, venue lighting, maintenance, etc.) toimprove venue operations. A master controller may haveoutput(s)/circuit(s) to control chairs via a respective chair circuit.Alternatively, a group of chairs may be mechanically interconnected,such that a single master controller may control a group of chairs.

Controlling multiple chairs at once may save time in performing venuerelated tasks, such as cleaning or maintenance that require chairs to beextended and/or retracted. A controller, having multiple outputcircuits, may allow for pre-select chairs to be extended or retracted ina defined order to facilitate a desired task. For example, cleaning maybe facilitated by have every other chair extended and/or retracted toprovide an operator better access to an extended recliner chair innarrow rows.

Alternate patterns of chair positioning may be achieved to aid indifferent tasks. For example, an entire venue of chairs mayautomatically reorient at a prescribed time sequence with a singleinitiation. While a controller may have multiple outputs, any givencontroller may only have one output circuit and associated chairs mayinclude individual ID's or addresses such that a communication protocolof the controller may allow control of an individual chair and/or banksof chairs.

Controller output(s) may control chairs wirelessly using availabletechnologies such as Bluetooth®, and/or the controllers may be hardwired. Controller outputs may drive chair actuator(s) to respectiveinternal stops, which may be settable by time such that chairs may bepartially extended and/or retracted. Alternatively, or additionally, acontroller may be sequenced to extend/retract chairs such that allchairs in a control group may be fully extended and/or retracted to aposition before being extended and/or retracted to a desired position.

Master controller circuits may control a slave control unit at eachpowered chair allowing parallel operation of a local user control switchor a master control circuit. Possible scenarios for parallel chaircontrol may include, but are not limited to, an operator control switchand the control circuit that plug into a slave controller, allowingcontrol of a powered chair by the operator or by the master control box,an operator control switch and a control circuit may connect wirelesslyto a slave controller, allowing control of a powered chair by theoperator or by the master controller. A control circuit connected (wiredor wirelessly) to a powered chair switch which may allow paralleloperation. A control circuit connected (wired or wirelessly) to apowered chair actuator, which may allow parallel chair operation.

Power to a powered chair may be extended directly from a transformer toa master controller, and/or slave controller(s) as needed. A slavecontroller may be powered via respective input circuits or switchcircuits as required.

Lights (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs)) may be incorporated into theindividual chairs. For example, a light may be incorporated under eachchair to illuminate an area of a floor in proximity to the respectivechair. The systems and methods of the present disclosure may notify aremote location of activity (e.g., venue cleaning, chair occupancy,chair reorientation, etc.). This lighting may be turned on, for example,during cleaning and/or prior to and/or after a movie to provide entranceand/or exit lighting. Similar to remote chair reorientation, thelighting may be remotely controlled. For example, all powered reclinerchairs may automatically return to an upright position (or any otherpredetermined position) and/or all chair lights may be turned on in anevent of an emergency situation in the associated venue. Notably,notification of an emergency situation within a venue may be initiatedvia a central alarm (e.g., a manually operated fire alarm, anautomatically operated fire alarm input, a carbon monoxide sensor, asmoke sensor, etc.), a sound detector (e.g., a gunshot detector, ascream detector, etc.), and/or via a personal electronic device (e.g., amobile telephone, a portable data assistant, a laptop computer, acomputer, or any other portable electronic device that iscommunicatively coupled to a venue emergency notification system).

Sensors (e.g., a proximity sensor, a capacitance sensor, an ultra-sonicsensor, a light sensor, a touch sensor, a proximity switch, a limitswitch, an electric current sensor, a pressure sensor, a strain gauge, amicrophone, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, a sonar sensor, etc.)may be incorporated into a respective chair for safety purposes. Forexample, a sensor may indicate that reorientation of a chair has beeninhibited (in at least one direction) because an object (e.g., anindividual, or an individual's possession) would be in jeopardy of beingdamaged. A capacitance sensor may be configured such that if an object(e.g., an individual, or an individual's possession) touches, or comesclose to a pre-determined, part of a respective chair (e.g., a metallicpart of the chair), a capacitance value will change and the object maybe detected. The systems and methods of the present disclosure mayprovide a remote indication of corresponding events.

Sensors and/or actuators may be incorporated into a chair that recordchair reorientations and/or any other events associated with therespective chair. Associated data may be automatically recorded andlogged to provide information for use with preventive chair maintenanceand/or routine chair maintenance.

Actuator drive motor momentum may generate electrical energy after achair limit switch is activated to stop chair movement. The actuatordrive motor momentum may cause transients in associated electricalcircuits. In order to reduce, or eliminate transients, an armature of anactuator motor may be shorted when turned off, a limit switch may beomitted and a “soft stop” may be implemented via, for example, aprocessor/software or a dedicated circuit, an isolation relay may beincorporated, a zener-diode may be incorporated in parallel with the anarmature, a silicon control rectifier (SCR) may be incorporated inparallel with the an armature, twisted wires may be incorporated toeliminate inductance, etc.

A user interface may be provided that includes, for example, an overheadplan view map of a venue with each chair having alpha-numeric, color,graphical, etc. information related to respective chair status (e.g.,need of maintenance, occupied, reclined, malfunction, number ofreorientations since last maintenance, number of times occupied, lengthof time occupied, etc.). The information related to respective chairstatus may be, for example, historical status information, currentstatus information, or predicative status information.

The remote control system may automatically control other lighting in avenue. The systems and methods of the present disclosure mayautomatically record cleaning times and dates. For example, positions ofeach chair may be recording along with a time stamp for each chairorientation and/or chair reorientation. Occupancy sensors may beincorporated into a chair and may be used to record dates and timesassociated with when the respective chair was occupied. A weight sensormay be included that records a weight of an individual occupying arespective chair. Activation of a remote chair control may open chairsthat were occupied during a previous event, while chairs that were notoccupied during the previous event may remain in an upright orientation.

Local controls, located on each powered recliner chair, may allow achair occupant to reposition the powered reclining chair while seated inthe respective chair. For example, a first button may be provided toreorient a powered reclining chair from an upright position toward areclined position. A second button may be provided to reorient thepowered reclining chair from a reclined position toward an uprightposition. Any number of buttons may be provided to reorient individualparts (e.g., a back, a lower lumbar support, a chair seat, an armrest, afoot rest, a calf rest, etc.) of a powered reclining chair independentof any other part. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, apowered reclining chair may be controlled via a cellular phone (e.g., asmartphone) implementing a powered reclining chair application.

Any given powered reclining chair may include speakers and/or aheadphone connector plug. The speakers and/or the headphone connectormay be hardwired to a venue sound system and/or may include a wirelessconnection to a venue sound system. Any given powered reclining chairmay include a power and/or data connector, such that an occupant canplug in their cellular telephone and/or portable computer device.Thereby, an occupant may use the forgoing features to order a drinkand/or food from a venue delivery. The occupant may be enabled to payfor their drinks and/or food via their own device and/or via aninterface attached to the powered reclining chair. A theater controlsystem may be interconnected with a theater speaker system (e.g., aspeaker system as provided by QSC, a Qsys speaker system, etc.).

Turning to FIG. 1, a high-level block diagram of an example computersystem 100 for managing powered reclining chairs is depicted. Thecomputer system 100 may include a central venue operations center 105and a powered reclining chair site 160 (e.g., a movie theater, a sportsvenue, an auditorium, an arena, a theater, or any other venue)communicatively couple via a communications network 175. The computersystem 100 may also include a powered reclining chair technician site145 and a powered reclining chair supplier site 130. While, forconvenience of illustration, only a single central venue operationscenter 105 is depicted within the computer system 100 of FIG. 1, anynumber of central venue operations centers 105 may be included withinthe computer system 100. While, for convenience of illustration, only asingle powered reclining chair site 160 is depicted within the computersystem 100 of FIG. 1, any number of powered reclining chair sites 160may be included within the computer system 100. Indeed, the computersystem 100 may accommodate thousands of powered reclining chair sites160. While, for convenience of illustration, only a single poweredreclining chair technician site 145 is depicted within the computersystem 100 of FIG. 1, any number powered reclining chairs of techniciansites 145 may be included within the computer system 100. Any givenpowered reclining chair technician site 145 may be a mobile site. While,for convenience of illustration, only a single powered reclining chairsupplier site 130 is depicted within the computer system 100 of FIG. 1,any number of powered reclining chair supplier sites 130 may be includedwithin the computer system 100.

The communications network 175, any one of the network adapters 111,118, 125, 137, 152, 167 and any one of the network connections 176, 177,178, 179 may include a hardwired section, a fiber-optic section, acoaxial section, a wireless section, any sub-combination thereof or anycombination thereof, including for example a wireless LAN, MAN or WAN,WiFi, WiMax, the Internet, a Bluetooth connection, a Zigbee internetconnection, a Global Cache' internet connection, or any combinationthereof. Moreover, a central venue operations center 105, a poweredreclining chair site 160, a powered reclining chair technician site 145and/or a powered reclining chair supplier 130 site may becommunicatively connected via any suitable communication system, such asvia any publicly available or privately owned communication network,including those that use wireless communication structures, such aswireless communication networks, including for example, wireless LANsand WANs, satellite and cellular telephone communication systems, etc.

Any given central venue operations center 105 may include a mainframe,or central server, system 106, a server terminal 112, a desktop computer119, a laptop computer 126 and a telephone 127. While the central venueoperations center 105 of FIG. 1 is shown to include only one mainframe,or central server, system 106, only one server terminal 112, only onedesktop computer 119, only one laptop computer 126 and only onetelephone 127, any given central venue operations center 105 may includeany number of mainframe, or central server, systems 106, serverterminals 112, desktop terminals 119, laptop computers 126 andtelephones 127. Any given telephone 127 may be, for example, a land-lineconnected telephone, a computer configured with voice over internetprotocol (VOIP), or a mobile telephone (e.g., a smartphone). Any givenserver terminal 112 may include a processor 115, a memory 116 having atleast on set of computer-readable instructions stored thereon andassociated with managing powered reclining chairs and venue operations117, a network adapter 118 a display 113 and a keyboard 114. Any givendesktop computer 119 may include a processor 122, a memory 123 having atleast on set of computer-readable instructions stored thereon andassociated with managing powered reclining chairs and venue operations124, a network adapter 125 a display 120 and a keyboard 121. Any givenmainframe, or central server, system 106 may include a processor 107, amemory 108 having at least on set of computer-readable instructionsstored thereon and associated with managing powered reclining chairs andvenue operations 109, a network adapter 111 and a customer (or client)database 110. The customer (or client) database 110 may store, forexample, chair operation data and/or associated venue data, related tooperation of the chair (or a group of chairs) within an associatedvenue. Any given lap top computer 126 may include a processor, a memoryhaving at least on set of computer-readable instructions stored thereonand associated with managing powered reclining chairs and venueoperations, a network adapter, a display and a keyboard. Any giventelephone 127 may include a processor, a memory having at least on setof computer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations, a networkadapter, a display and a keyboard.

Any given powered reclining chair supplier 130 may include a desktopcomputer 131, a lap top computer 138, a tablet computer 139 and atelephone 140. While only one desktop computer 131, only one lap topcomputer 138, only one tablet computer 139 and only one telephone 140 isdepicted in FIG. 1, any number of desktop computers 131, lap topcomputers 138, tablet computers 139 and/or telephones 140 may beincluded at any given powered reclining chair supplier 130. Any giventelephone 140 may be a land-line connected telephone or a mobiletelephone (e.g., smartphone). Any given desktop computer 131 may includea processor 134, a memory 135 having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations 136, a networkadapter 137 a display 132 and a keyboard 133. Any given lap top computer138 may include a processor, a memory having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations, a networkadapter, a display and a keyboard. Any given tablet computer 139 mayinclude a processor, a memory having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations, a networkadapter, a display and a keyboard. Any given telephone 140 may include aprocessor, a memory having at least on set of computer-readableinstructions stored thereon and associated with managing poweredreclining chairs and venue operations, a network adapter, a display anda keyboard.

Any given powered reclining chair technician site 145 may include adesktop computer 146, a lap top computer 153, a tablet computer 154 anda telephone 155. While only one desktop computer 146, only one lap topcomputer 153, only one tablet computer 154 and only one telephone 155 isdepicted in FIG. 1, any number of desktop computers 146, lap topcomputers 153, tablet computers 154 and/or telephones 155 may beincluded at any given powered reclining chair technician site 145. Anygiven telephone 155 may be a land-line connected telephone or a mobiletelephone (e.g., smartphone). Any given desktop computer 146 may includea processor 149, a memory 150 having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations 151, a networkadapter 152 a display 147 and a keyboard 148. Any given lap top computer153 may include a processor, a memory having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations, a networkadapter, a display and a keyboard. Any given tablet computer 154 mayinclude a processor, a memory having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations, a networkadapter, a display and a keyboard. Any given telephone 155 may include aprocessor, a memory having at least on set of computer-readableinstructions stored thereon and associated with managing poweredreclining chairs and venue operations, a network adapter, a display anda keyboard.

Any given powered reclining chair site 160 may include a desktopcomputer 161, a lap top computer 168, a tablet computer 169 and atelephone 170. While only one desktop computer 161, only one lap topcomputer 168, only one tablet computer 169 and only one telephone 170 isdepicted in FIG. 1, any number of desktop computers 161, lap topcomputers 168, tablet computers 169 and/or telephones 170 may beincluded at any given powered reclining chair site 160. Any giventelephone 170 may be a land-line connected telephone or a mobiletelephone (e.g., smartphone). Any given desktop computer 161 may includea processor 164, a memory 165 having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations 166, a networkadapter 167 a display 162 and a keyboard 163. Any given lap top computer168 may include a processor, a memory having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations, a networkadapter, a display and a keyboard. Any given tablet computer 169 mayinclude a processor, a memory having at least on set ofcomputer-readable instructions stored thereon and associated withmanaging powered reclining chairs and venue operations, a networkadapter, a display and a keyboard. Any given telephone 170 may include aprocessor, a memory having at least on set of computer-readableinstructions stored thereon and associated with managing poweredreclining chairs and venue operations, a network adapter, a display anda keyboard. While not shown in FIG. 1, any given set of poweredreclining chairs 171, or individual powered reclining chair, may includea programmable controller (e.g., controller 860, 960 a, 960 b, 1060 a,1060 b of FIGS. 8, 9A-B, 10A-B, respectively), a powered reclining chairlocal control (e.g., local control 270, 370, 470, 870, 970 c, 1070 c,1170 a-c of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 c, 10 c, 11A-11C, respectively), and/orany number of linear and/or rotary actuators (e.g., actuator 655, 660,760, 960 b, 1060 b, 1065 b of FIGS. 6, 7, 9B, 10B, respectively).Furthermore, while not shown in FIG. 1, any given set of poweredreclining chairs 171, or individual powered reclining chair, may includea plurality of sensors (e.g., temperature sensor, pressure sensor, limitswitch, motion sensor, strain gauge, position sensor, occupancy sensor,load sensor, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 2, a venue 200 may include a plurality of poweredrecliner chairs 210 supported on a base (e.g., a floor or a structure)205. The powered recliner chairs 210 may be similar to the poweredchairs 171 of FIG. 1. Any given powered recliner chair may include achair back 215, a lower lumbar support 220, a chair seat 225, afoot-rest 230, and an arm-rest 235. The arm-rest 235 may include acup-holder 236 and/or a chair controller 270. The chair controller 270may include, for example, a first button to reorient the respectivechair between an upright position (e.g., a chair position as illustratedin FIG. 2) and a reclined position (e.g., a chair position asillustrated in FIG. 3). Alternatively, a chair controller 270 mayinclude a plurality of functions, such as, individual buttons associatedwith independently controlling a chair back 215, a lower lumbar support220, a chair seat 225, a foot-rest 230, and/or an arm-rest 235.Additionally, a chair controller 270 may include an audio outputconnector, a power output connector, lighting, a microphone, a speaker,etc. Alternatively, a chair controller 270 may be similar to a portablecomputing device (e.g., portable computing device 169 of FIG. 1) thatfacilitates a plurality of chair controls and/or venue interaction. Achair controller 270 may include a docking station and/or connection fora smartphone.

An associated powered recliner chair system may include at least oneemergency power input selected from a group including: a battery, acapacitor, a photovoltaic cell, an internal combustion engine drivenelectrical generator, a wind-turbine driven electrical generator, or ahydrogen fuel cell. The at least one emergency power input may beconfigured to provide electric power to the powered recliner chair in anevent of an associated venue power outage.

Any given powered recliner chair may be a modular assembly having, forexample, a single plug in power connection. The powered recliner chairmay be fully operable with only the plug in power connection connectedto the modular powered recliner chair. Any given modular assembly mayinclude one, two, or more chair assemblies, including, for example,associated RMS(s), associated arm box(e)s, associated chair seat(s),associated chair ottoman(s), associated chair back(s), associatedheadrest(s), associated electrical control(s), associated actuator(s),associated lighting, associated snack tray(s) and/or associated cubholder(s). As a particular example, a modular assembly may include afirst chair assembly having a snack tray pivotally attached to aright-hand arm box and a second chair assembly having a snack traypivotally attached to a left-hand arm box. A left-hand arm box of thefirst chair assembly may be fixed to a right-hand arm box of the secondchair assembly. All local chair control and/or remote chair control maybe, for example, communicated to a modular assembly via a wirelesscommunication network. A modular assembly may be assembled at amanufacturing facility remote from an associated venue, delivered to theassociated venue, set in place, and plugged into, for example, aelectrical outlet.

Any given reclining chair may be installed such that a surface under thereclining chair is not coplanar with an adjacent walking surface.Examples of such an installation may include: an area directly behindthe ottoman raised to make it harder for items to be reoriented (e.g.,kicked or pushed) under the reclining chair; an area directly in frontof the reclining chair's rear closure panel may be raised to make itharder for items to be moved (e.g., kicked or pushed) under thereclining chair; and an area under the recliner may be sloped to promotemovement of items under the reclining chair moving out from under thereclining chair.

Turning to FIG. 3, a venue 300 may include a plurality of poweredrecliner chairs 310 supported on a base (e.g., a floor or a structure)305. The powered recliner chairs 310 may be similar to the poweredrecliner chairs 210 of FIG. 2. Any given powered recliner chair mayinclude a chair back 315, a lower lumbar support 320, a chair seat 325,a foot-rest 330, and an arm-rest 335. The arm-rest 335 may include acup-holder 336 and/or a chair controller 370. The chair controller 370may include, for example, a first button to reorient the respectivechair between an upright position (e.g., a chair position as illustratedin FIG. 2) and a reclined position (e.g., a chair position asillustrated in FIG. 3). Alternatively, a chair controller 370 mayinclude a plurality of functions, such as, individual buttons associatedwith independently controlling a chair back 315, a lower lumbar support320, a chair seat 325, a foot-rest 330, and/or an arm-rest 335.Additionally, a chair controller 370 may include an audio outputconnector, a power output connector, lighting, a microphone, a speaker,etc. Alternatively, a chair controller 370 may be similar to a portablecomputing device (e.g., portable computing device 169 of FIG. 1) thatfacilitates a plurality of chair controls and/or venue interaction. Achair controller 370 may include a docking station and/or connection fora smartphone.

With reference to FIG. 4, a venue 400 may include a plurality of poweredrecliner chairs 410 supported on a base (e.g., a floor or a structure)405. The powered recliner chairs 410 may be similar to the poweredrecliner chairs 310 of FIG. 3. Any given powered recliner chair mayinclude a chair back 415, a lower lumbar support 420, a chair seat 425,a foot-rest 430, and an arm-rest 435. The arm-rest 435 may include acup-holder 436 and/or a chair controller 470. The chair controller 470may include, for example, a first button to reorient the respectivechair between an upright position (e.g., a chair position as illustratedin FIG. 2) and a reclined position (e.g., a chair position asillustrated in FIG. 3). Alternatively, a chair controller 470 mayinclude a plurality of functions, such as, individual buttons associatedwith independently controlling a chair back 415, a lower lumbar support420, a chair seat 425, a foot-rest 430, and/or an arm-rest 435.Additionally, a chair controller 470 may include an audio outputconnector, a power output connector, lighting, a microphone, a speaker,etc. Alternatively, a chair controller 470 may be similar to a portablecomputing device (e.g., portable computing device 169 of FIG. 1) thatfacilitates a plurality of chair controls and/or venue interaction. Achair controller 470 may include a docking station and/or connection fora smartphone. While remote control of reclining chair extend/retractfunctions may be performed, any given remote control function maysimilarly be used to control other functions such as massagers, heaters,cooling devices, etc.

Any given reclining chair system may include blower and/or vacuumfeatures, which may aid in cleaning under reclining chairs. Examples ofblower and/or vacuum features may include, but are not limited to:systems located in a reclining chair arm box; systems located in areclining chair recliner mechanism; systems located in an associatedfloor area, or rear riser(s).

Turning to FIGS. 5A-5D, powered chairs 500 a-d may include a chair back515 a-d, a chair seat 525 a-d, a foot-rest 530 a-d, and an arm-rest 535a-d. The powered chairs 500 a-d may be similar to the powered chairs171, 210, 310, 410 of FIGS. 1-4, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS.5A and 5D, a chair back 515 a, 515 d, a chair seat 525 a, 525 d, afoot-rest 530 a, 530 d, and/or an arm-rest 535 a, 535 d may berepositioned throughout a plurality of various positions, shown asdashed lines.

With reference to FIG. 6, a powered reclining/rocking chair 600 mayinclude a support frame 650, a seat frame 625 pivotally mounted on thesupport frame 650, a rotary actuator 655 mounted between the supportframe 650 and the seat frame 625 to drive the seat frame 625 to moverelative to the support frame 650, a chair back 615 pivotally mounted onthe seat frame 625, a linear actuator 660 mounted between the seat frame625 and the chair back 615 to drive the chair back 615 to move relativeto the seat frame 625, a head support 645 mounted on the chair back 615,two link mechanisms mounted between the chair seat 625 and the chairback 615 to move in concert with the chair back 615, and a foot support630 mounted between the two link mechanisms to move in concert with thetwo link mechanisms. The seat frame 625 may have an upper end providedwith two opposite pivot ears and a lower end provided with a pluralityof castors. The seat frame 625 has a rear end provided with a stopportion.

The powered reclining/rocking chair may further include two suspensionarms each secured on the seat and each pivotally mounted on the supportframe, and at least two reinforcing members located between the seat andthe two suspension arms respectively to enhance the structural strengthof the seat. Each of the two suspension arms extends upwardly from theseat and has an upper end provided with a pivot portion pivotallymounted on a respective one of the pivot ears of the support frame.

The seat is pivotable relative to the support frame in a pendulummanner. The seat and has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upperportion of the seat has a front end provided with two first throughholes and second through holes and a rear end provided with two throughbores. The lower portion of the seat has a side provided with a supportbase.

The rotary actuator may include a drive member secured on the lowerportion of the seat, a rotation member rotatably mounted on the drivemember, and a drive lever having a first end pivotally connected withthe rotation member to move in concert with the rotation member and asecond end pivotally connected with the stop portion of the supportframe. The drive member of the rotary actuator is a drive motor torotate the rotation member. The rotation member of the rotary actuatorhas a disk shape. The first end of the drive lever is arranged on therotation member eccentrically and is deviated from a central shaft ofthe rotation member.

The two link mechanisms are located at two opposite sides of the seatsymmetrically. Each of the two link mechanisms has a mediate portionprovided with a first pivot hole pivotally connected with a respectiveone of the first through holes of the seat and a second pivot holepivotally connected with a respective one of the second through holes ofthe seat. Each of the two link mechanisms has a first end provided witha driven portion that is movable in concert with the backrest and asecond end provided with a support portion that is movable in concertwith the driven portion. The foot support is mounted between the supportportions of the two link mechanisms.

The backrest has a lower end provided with two pivot bores eachpivotally connected with a respective one of the through bores of theseat and two push portions each pivotally connected with the drivenportion of a respective one of the two link mechanisms. Each of the twopivot bores of the backrest is located above each of the two pushportions. The backrest has an upper end provided with two mountingsleeves. The backrest has a side provided with a drive arm which issubstantially V-shaped.

The linear actuator has a first portion pivotally connected with thesupport base of the seat and a second portion retractably mounted in thefirst portion and pivotally connected with the drive arm. Preferably,the drive arm has an upper end secured on the backrest and a lower endpivotally connected with the second portion of the linear actuator.Thus, when the second portion of the linear actuator is moved relativeto the first portion of the linear actuator, the drive arm is moved inconcert with the second portion of the linear actuator to drive thebackrest to pivot relative to the seat.

The head support may include a resting cushion and two adjusting rodseach mounted on a bottom of the resting cushion and each adjustablymounted in a respective one of the mounting sleeves of the backrest.

In adjustment, when the second portion of the linear actuator is movedtoward the first portion of the linear actuator, the drive arm is movedin concert with the second portion of the linear actuator to drive thebackrest to pivot downward relative to the seat, so that the pivot boresof the backrest are pivoted about the through bores of the seat, and thebackrest is moved rearward and downward. At the same time, when thebackrest is moved relative to the seat, the driven portion of each ofthe two link mechanisms is pushed by the respective push portion of thebackrest to drive each of the two link mechanisms to pivot forwardrelative to the seat, so that the support portion of each of the twolink mechanisms is moved forward and upward, and the foot support isalso is moved forward and upward until the foot support is disposed at ahorizontal state. In such a manner, the inclined angle of the backrestand the foot support is adjusted by operation of the linear actuatoraccording to the user's requirement so as to provide a comfortablesensation to the user.

On the contrary, when the second portion of the linear actuator is movedoutward relative to the first portion of the linear actuator, the drivearm is moved in concert with the second portion of the linear actuatorto drive the backrest to pivot upward relative to the seat, so that thepivot bores of the backrest are pivoted about the through bores of theseat, and the backrest is moved forward and upward. At the same time,when the backrest is moved relative to the seat, the driven portion ofeach of the two link mechanisms is pulled by the respective push portionof the backrest to drive each of the two link mechanisms to pivotrearward relative to the seat, so that the support portion of each ofthe two link mechanisms is moved rearward and downward, and the footsupport is also is moved rearward and downward so as to fold the footsupport.

In operation, the drive member of the rotary actuator is secured on thelower portion of the seat, the first end of the drive lever is pivotallyconnected with and arranged on the rotation member eccentrically, andthe second end of the drive lever is limited by the stop portion of thesupport frame, so that when the rotation member is rotated by the drivemember, the rotation member is driven by the drive lever to moverelative to the support frame, and the drive member is moved by therotation member to drive the seat to move relative to the support frame.At this time, each of the two suspension arms secured on the seat ispivotally mounted on the support frame, so that the seat is pivotedrelative to the support frame by operation of the rotary actuator. Insuch a manner, the seat is pivoted rightward and leftward so that theseat is pivoted reciprocally relative to the support frame in a pendulummanner.

The powered reclining/rocking chair further comprises an electricallycontrol device connected with the rotary actuator and the linearactuator to control operation of the rotary actuator and the linearactuator, an overload protection device connected with the electricallycontrol device to shut an electric power to the electrically controldevice when an overload occurs, and a timer connected with theelectrically control device to automatically preset the operation timeof the electrically control device. In such a manner, the linearactuator is controlled by the electrically control device to adjust theinclined angle of the backrest and the foot support, and the rotaryactuator is controlled by the electrically control device to drive theseat to pivot relative to the support frame in a pendulum manner.

The resting cushion of the head support may include a main adjustingbracket and a secondary adjusting bracket pivotally mounted on the mainadjusting bracket. The main adjusting bracket of the resting cushion isprovided with a main toothed portion. The secondary adjusting bracket ofthe resting cushion is provided with a secondary toothed portionadjustably meshing with the main toothed portion of the main adjustingbracket. Thus, the secondary adjusting bracket of the resting cushion ispivoted relative to the main adjusting bracket of the resting cushion toadjust the inclined angle of the head support. Each of the adjustingrods of the head support is provided with a plurality of adjustingdetents adjustably mounted in the respective mounting sleeve of thebackrest to adjust the height of the head support.

Accordingly, the rotary actuator is controlled by the electricallycontrol device to drive the seat to pivot relative to the support framereciprocally in a pendulum manner so that the seat is pivoted relativeto the support frame automatically, and the user needs not to rock theseat manually. In addition, the linear actuator is controlled by theelectrically control device to adjust the inclined angle of the backrestand the foot support according to the user's requirement so as toprovide a comfortable sensation to the user.

Turning to FIG. 7, a powered lift chair 700 may include a lift baseassembly 750 and a chair support frame 725. The lift base assembly 750supports the chair 700 in a normal seated position. The lift baseassembly 750 lifts the chair 700 to a tilted position that makes iteasier for a person to enter or leave the chair 700. Any of a widevariety of chair constructions can be used with the lift base assembly.The chair 700 may include a frame 761, side arms 735, a seat back 730,and a seat portion 725. The seat back 730 may recline in response topressure from the back of an occupant and the seat portion 725 may movesimultaneously with the seat back 730. The chair 700 also may include anextensible leg rest assembly. Additionally, the seat back 730 and/or theseat portion 725 may include a heat pad and/or a cooling device. Theheat pad and/or cooling device may be selectively energized to provideheat and/or cooling to person using the chair.

An exemplary lift base assembly may include a stationary, rectangularbottom frame member that rests on the floor and a movable, rectangularupper frame member on which the chair is removably but securely attachedby suitable fasteners. The bottom frame member may include left andright hand side members, respectively, that are rigid with a front crossmember. Side members may have suitable pads that engage the surface of afloor. Upper frame member may include left and right side members thatare rigid with a rear cross member. A linear actuator 760 may nestinside of the bottom from member 750, the upper frame member 761, andthe chair seat 725.

Alternatively, a lift mechanism may include a power-assist means, suchas an electric motor, a rotary screw shaft, and an internally threadedsleeve or nut. The motor may be selectively operable to rotate the screwshaft in either a first direction or second direction. Both the motorand the screw shaft can arcuately swing up and down in a generallyvertical plane about a pivot. The screw shaft extends through and drivesthe sleeve so that the sleeve moves forwardly or rearwardly along thelength of the screw shaft upon rotation of the screw shaft in one of thefirst and second directions. In the seated or lowered position of thechair, the sleeve may be positioned near the front or outer end of thescrew shaft. Lifting of the chair is accomplished by energizing themotor to rotate the screw shaft in a direction that pulls the sleevetoward the motor. To lower the chair, rotation of the screw shaft isreversed, which draws the sleeve away from the motor. An exemplary liftbase assembly and lift mechanism are described in more detail in U.S.Pat. No. 5,061,010, assigned to La-Z-Boy Chair Co., which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Although the above lift baseassembly and lift mechanism are described for illustrative purposes, itis to be understood that other suitable lift base assemblies and liftmechanisms may be used with the present invention as it is describedbelow.

An electrical control system for the motor may include two-prongattachment plug that fits into an electrical receptacle in the generalproximity to where the lift base assembly is used for providingelectrical current to operate the lift assembly. Alternatively, theattachment plug may be a three-prong grounding plug that fits into agrounding-type receptacle. The plug may include an insulated cable orpower cord of suitable length. The electrical control system also mayinclude a transformer, an electrical controller, a control wand, heatingpads, cooling device, massage device, a motor actuator, and various maleand female socket connectors for connecting the components of theelectrical control system as described below.

The transformer may include a power cord with three current-carryinginductors that terminate in a male socket connector. The male socketmates with a female socket connector so that the transformer iselectrically connected to the electrical controller through a powercord. The electrical controller further may include power cords. Thepower cord may include four current-carrying conductors that terminatein a male socket connector and a female socket connector. The power cordmay include eight current-carrying conductors that terminate in a femalesocket connector. The power cord may include five current-carryingconductors that terminate in a male socket connector. The socketconnectors may mate with counterpart socket connectors to electricallyconnect the electrical controller to the control wand, the heating pads,cooling device, massage device, and the motor actuator.

The transformer may receive AC power from a standard electricalreceptacle via the power cord. The transformer may step down the inputpower, for example 120 volts of AC, to an output power. For example, thetransformer outputs an AC voltage of 12 volts and a constant DC voltageof 27 volts. The transformer may include batteries, such as 9 voltbatteries, which may provide backup power to the electrical system inthe event of a power failure. The heating pads, cooling devices, andmessage devices may be powered by the 12 volts AC and the motor actuatormay be powered by the 27 volts DC.

The electrical controller may receive both the 12 volts AC and the 27volts DC from the transformer. The electrical controller may distributethe power from the transformer to the heating pads, cooling devices,massage device, the motor actuator, and the control wand. The electricalcontroller may direct the 12 volts AC to the heating pads, coolingdevice, and/or massage device, and may direct the 27 volts DC to themotor actuator. The control wand may also receive power from the 27 voltDC supply.

The control wand may include a control cord for receiving power from theelectrical controller. The control wand may be mounted to a side arm ofthe chair or, alternatively, held and operated by a person using thechair. Additionally, the control cord communicates commands from thecontrol wand to the electrical controller. For example, the control wandmay include indicator means, such as an LED array, and one or morecontrol switches. The user may control the various operations of thechair with the switches, such as lifting and lowering functions,reclining functions, and “on” or “off” status of the heating pads,cooling devices, message devices, etc. When the user operates theswitches to lift the chair, electrical power is supplied to the motoractuator to rotate the screw shaft, rotary actuator, or linear actuatorin a direction to cause the chair to lift. When the user operates theswitches to lower the chair, electrical power is supplied to the motoractuator to rotate the screw shaft, rotary actuator, or linear actuatorin the opposite direction for lowering the chair. The user may viewstatus information for the chair at the indicator means, such as “on” or“off” status or relative temperature indicators of the heating padsand/or cooling devices.

The control wand may be powered by the 27 volt DC supply. However, thecontrol wand does not directly switch the current load of the motoractuator. Instead, the control wand switches relays located in theelectrical controller in order to control power to the motor actuator.In this manner, the high current draw of the motor actuator does notpass through the control wand. In an alternative embodiment, theindicator means and/or the switches are located directly on the chairrather than on the control wand. For example, the indicator means andswitches may be located on a side arm of the chair.

The motor actuator may receive electrical power from the electricalcontroller through the electrical connection of the power cord, the malesocket connector, and the female socket connector. The motor actuatormay provide rotational power to the screw shaft according to theelectrical power received from the electrical controller. For example,if the user operates the switches to lift the chair, the motor actuatorreceives electrical power of a first polarity to rotate the screw shaftin a first direction. If the user operates the switches to lower thechair, the motor actuator receives electrical power of a second polarityto rotate the screw shaft, the rotary actuator, or linear actuator in asecond direction.

The rate at which the motor actuator lifts and lowers the chair may bedirectly dependent upon the DC voltage received from the transformerthrough the electrical controller. In the preferred embodiment, the DCvoltage is 27 volts. The current drawn by the motor actuator, however,may be proportional to the load upon the chair. If the chair is empty,the motor actuator requires relatively low current. If the chair isloaded with a person, the motor actuator requires higher current.Conventionally, motor actuators receive a particular power input tocontrol the lift and lowering functions. As the load upon the chairincreases, the motor actuator draws more current. Because power is aproduct of voltage and current (P=VI), the voltage of the motor actuatordecreases proportionately as current draw increases. As voltagedecreases, the lift rate of the chair decreases proportionately.Therefore, it can be seen that the lift and/or lower rates ofconventional power-assisted chairs were extremely dependent upon theload on the chair at any particular time.

In contrast, the transformer of the present invention is operable tooutput a generally constant DC voltage regardless of the current drawfrom the motor actuator. One such transformer available is InSeatSolutions' AC/DC adaptor, model number 15541 Class II power transformer,which outputs a 12 volt AC supply and a 27 volt DC supply. If the motoractuator draws more current due to a heavier load upon the chair, thetransformer adjusts automatically to maintain a generally constant DCvoltage output of 27 volts to the motor actuator. The motor actuatorreceives a constant voltage regardless of the current draw. Therefore,the motor actuator may provide constant rotational power to the screwshaft, rotary actuator, or linear actuator. In this manner, thepower-assisted chair of the present invention may provide generallyconstant lift and lowering rates independent of the load on the chair.Further, the power-assisted chair of the present invention is able toprovide constant lift and lowering rates for loads up to 500 hundredpounds with a single motor.

The required time to complete a full lift or lower cycle is dependentupon the lift or lower rate of the motor, and therefore is furtherdependent upon the voltage output of the transformer. Because the DCvoltage supply of the transformer is generally constant, lift and lowercycles will be consistent regardless of the weight of the person usingthe chair. For example, slight voltage drops due to extremely heavyloads may cause the lift cycle to have a slightly longer duration, andthe lower cycle to have a slightly shorter duration. Although cycletimes may vary slightly due to factors such as increased heat due tohigher current draw and other process variables, a person using thechair may expect generally uniform lift and lower cycle times.

Additionally, the electrical control system is operable to selectivelycontrol power to the heating pads, cooling devices, and/or massagedevices during lift and lower operations of the motor actuator, whichallows the transformer to maintain a Class II rating. For example, ifthe user operates the switches to lift or lower the chair while theheating pads, cooling devices, and/or message devices are “on,” theelectrical controller may turn off power to the heating pads, coolingdevices and/or massage devices. Once the lift or lower operation iscomplete, the electrical controller will restore power to the heatingpads, cooling devices and/or massage devices. In this manner, theelectrical controller directs power solely to the motor actuator duringlift and lower operations, which allows the motor actuator to receivethe maximum power available.

The electrical control system may include other electrical components,such as a vibratory massage device, an air pillow massage device, orother devices as are known in the art. The additional devices mayoperate on the 12 volt AC supply in a fashion similar to the heatingpads, cooling devices and/or massage devices. Correspondingly, theelectrical controller may disable power to the additional devices duringmotor lift and lower operations.

An electrical power supply may be configured as “smart” power supplysuch that, for example, a maximum power, drawn from a power supply, maybe automatically limited by controlling a number of recliner chairs thatcan be operated at any given time. For example, when a power supply isbeing operated near a maximum limit, recliner chairs, that are connectedto the power supply and not yet being operated, are disabled until apower draw from an associated power supply is reduced (e.g., operationof a previously operated recliner chair is ceased). Alternatively, oradditionally, operation of a previously operated recliner chair may beautomatically suspended if, for example, an occupant of another reclinerchair, that is connected to the power supply, initiates return of thechair to an upright position. Accordingly, if an occupant of a reclinerchair needs to exit the chair for any reason (e.g., an emergency) thatchair will operate and any other chair that is being reclined may ceaseto operate. Alternatively, or additionally, any given powered reclinerchair within a venue, or all powered recliner chairs within the venue,may be configured to automatically move to any predetermined position(e.g., a fully upright position, a fully reclined position, or anyposition there between) in the event of an emergency. Notably,notification of an emergency situation within a venue may be initiatedvia a central alarm (e.g., a manually operated fire alarm, a carbonmonoxide sensor, a smoke sensor, etc.), a sound detector (e.g., agunshot detector, a scream detector, etc.), and/or via a personalelectronic device (e.g., a mobile telephone, a portable data assistant,a laptop computer, or any other portable electronic device that iscommunicatively coupled to a venue emergency notification system).

Similarly, operation of a group of recliner chairs, that are connectedto a common power supply, may be automatically staggered such that anygiven sub-group of recliner chairs may be automatically delayed (e.g.,to reduce inrush current—10 mS delay), or operation may be alternated,such that a maximum power limit of the associated power supply is notexceeded. Thereby, a group of recliner chairs, that are connected to asmart power supply, may be automatically controlled to not exceed apower supply maximum.

A “smart power supply system” may include a power supply (e.g.,transformer 1496 a, 1496 c, 1496 d) and a controller (e.g., controller800, 990 a, 990 b, 1090 a, 1090 b), and may includecontrolling/activating/deactivating any given recliner chair(s) bycommunicating between chairs, monitoring chair(s) status, (e.g., suchthings as recline position and travel direction) and maypredict/anticipate chair(s) power requirements including accessoriessuch as heat, message, etc. to enable/disable/prioritize recliner chairpower consumption. Such a smart power supply system may control inherentpower peaks, that may occur during normal operation, or less criticalaction in a manner to minimize power consumption while optimizingassociated recliner chair user experience.

With reference to FIG. 8, a powered chair control assembly 800 mayinclude a controller (e.g., a programmable logic controller (PLC), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a discrete componentelectrical circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), amicro-controller, etc.)/actuator 860, a power connection 866, a powertransformer 865, a power connection cable 867, a transformer connection868, a local controller 870, a local controller cable 873, and a localcontroller connector 874. The controller/actuator 860 may be either acontroller/linear actuator or a controller/rotary actuator. The localcontroller 870 may be similar to the local controller 270, 370, 470 ofFIGS. 2-4, respectively. The local controller 870 may include, forexample, a chair recline button 871 and a chair upright button 872.Alternatively, the chair controller 870 may include, for example, afirst button to move the respective chair between an upright position(e.g., a chair position as illustrated in FIG. 2) and a reclinedposition (e.g., a chair position as illustrated in FIG. 3). As anotheralternative, a chair controller 870 may include a plurality offunctions, such as, individual buttons associated with independentlycontrolling a chair back 215, a lower lumbar support 220, a chair seat225, a foot-rest 230, and/or an arm-rest 235. Additionally, a chaircontroller 870 may include an audio output connector, a power outputconnector, lighting, a microphone, a speaker, etc. Alternatively, achair controller 870 may be similar to a portable computing device(e.g., portable computing device 169 of FIG. 1) that facilitates aplurality of chair controls and/or venue interaction. While not shown inFIG. 8, the controller/actuator 860 may also include a battery. Whilenot shown in FIG. 8, the controller/actuator 860 may include a pluralityof sensors (e.g., limit switches, proximity sensors, motion sensors,temperature sensors, occupancy sensors, pressure sensors, strain gauges,etc.) and/or lighting (e.g., light emitting diodes). While a controlmodule may be places between a switch and motor/actuator, a “smartswitch” may be provided, which may incorporate the function of a controlmodule and switch into one unit; communication lines may then plugdirectly into the smart switch.

Turning to FIGS. 9A-9C, a powered chair control assembly 900 a-c mayinclude a controller (e.g., a programmable logic controller (PLC), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a discrete componentelectrical circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), amicro-controller, etc.) 990 a, 990 b, a local controller 970 c, awireless data receiver 985 b, and an actuator 960 b. The actuator 960 bmay be either a linear actuator or a rotary actuator. The localcontroller 970 c may be similar to the local controller 270, 370, 470 ofFIGS. 2-4, respectively. The local controller 970 c may include, forexample, a chair back upright button 971 c, a chair back recline button977 c, a chair seat upright button 972 c, a chair seat upright button976 c, a chair foot-rest upright button 974 c, and/or a chair foot-restrecline button 975 c. The chair controller 970 c may include, forexample, a first button to move the respective chair between an uprightposition (e.g., a chair position as illustrated in FIG. 2) and areclined position (e.g., a chair position as illustrated in FIG. 3).Alternatively, a chair controller 970 c may include a plurality offunctions, such as, individual buttons associated with independentlycontrolling a chair back 215, a lower lumbar support 220, a chair seat225, a foot-rest 230, and/or an arm-rest 235. Additionally, a chaircontroller 970 c may include an audio output connector, a power outputconnector, lighting, a microphone, a speaker, etc. Alternatively, achair controller 970 c may be similar to a portable computing device(e.g., portable computing device 169 of FIG. 1) that facilitates aplurality of chair controls and/or venue interaction.

The controller 990 a, 990 b may include a reclined chair positionindicator 997 a, 997 b and/or an upright chair position indicator 998 a,998 b. The controller 990 a, 990 b may further include a first connectorreceptacle 991 a, a second connector receptacle 992 a, a third connectorreceptacle 993 a, a forth connector receptacle 991 b, a fifth connectorreceptacle 992 b, a sixth connector receptacle 993 b, a seventhconnector receptacle 994 b, and/or an eighth connector receptacle 995 b.The controller 990 a, 990 b may also include a battery 996 b. While notshown in FIG. 9A or 9B, the controller 990 a, 990 b and/or the actuator960 b may include a plurality of sensors (e.g., limit switches,proximity sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, occupancysensors, pressure sensors, strain gauges, etc.) and/or lighting (e.g.,light emitting diodes).

With reference to FIGS. 10A-10C, a powered chair control assembly 1000a-c may include a controller (e.g., a programmable logic controller(PLC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a discretecomponent electrical circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), amicro-controller, etc.) 1090 a, 1090 b, a local controller 1070 c, awireless data receiver 1085 b, a first actuator 1060 b, and a secondactuator 1065 b. The first actuator 1060 b and/or the second actuator1065 b may be either a linear actuator or a rotary actuator. The localcontroller 1070 c may be similar to the local controller 270, 370, 470of FIGS. 2-4, respectively. The local controller 1070 c may include, forexample, a chair back upright button 1071 c, a chair back recline button1078 c, a chair seat upright button 1072 c, a chair seat upright button1077 c, a chair foot-rest upright button 1073 c, a chair foot-restrecline button 1076 c, a head-rest upright button 1074 c, and/or ahead-rest recline button 1075 c. The chair controller 1070 c mayinclude, for example, a first button to move the respective chairbetween an upright position (e.g., a chair position as illustrated inFIG. 2) and a reclined position (e.g., a chair position as illustratedin FIG. 3). Alternatively, a chair controller 1070 c may include aplurality of functions, such as, individual buttons associated withindependently controlling a chair back 215, a lower lumbar support 220,a chair seat 225, a foot-rest 230, and/or an arm-rest 235. Additionally,a chair controller 1070 c may include an audio output connector, a poweroutput connector, lighting, a microphone, a speaker, etc. Alternatively,a chair controller 1070 c may be similar to a portable computing device(e.g., portable computing device 169 of FIG. 1) that facilitates aplurality of chair controls and/or venue interaction.

The controller 1090 a, 1090 b may include a reclined chair positionindicator 1097 a, 1097 b and/or an upright chair position indicator 1098a, 1098 b. The controller 1090 a, 1090 b may further include a firstconnector receptacle 1091 a, a second connector receptacle 1092 a, athird connector receptacle 1093 a, a forth connector receptacle 1091 b,a fifth connector receptacle 1092 b, a sixth connector receptacle 1093b, a seventh connector receptacle 1094 b, and/or an eighth connectorreceptacle 1095 b. The controller 1090 a, 1090 b may also include abattery 1096 b. While not shown in FIG. 10A or 10B, the controller 1090a, 1090 b and/or the actuator 1060 b may include a plurality of sensors(e.g., limit switches, proximity sensors, motion sensors, temperaturesensors, occupancy sensors, pressure sensors, strain gauges, etc.)and/or lighting (e.g., light emitting diodes).

Turning to FIGS. 11A-11C, a local chair control assembly 1100 a-c mayinclude a chair control housing 1170 a-c, a chair recline button 1171a-c, and/or a chair upright button 1172 a-c. The local chair controlassembly 1100 a-c may include, for example, a first button to move therespective chair between an upright position (e.g., a chair position asillustrated in FIG. 2) and a reclined position (e.g., a chair positionas illustrated in FIG. 3). Alternatively, a local chair control assembly1100 a-c may include a plurality of functions, such as, individualbuttons associated with independently controlling a chair back 215, alower lumbar support 220, a chair seat 225, a foot-rest 230, and/or anarm-rest 235. Additionally, a local chair control assembly 1100 a-c mayinclude an audio output connector, a power output connector, lighting, amicrophone, a speaker, etc. Alternatively, a local chair controlassembly 1100 a-c may be similar to a portable computing device (e.g.,portable computing device 169 of FIG. 1) that facilitates a plurality ofchair controls and/or venue interaction. The local chair controlassembly 1100 a-c may be similar to, for example, the local chaircontrol 270, 370, 470.

With reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, a powered recliner chair 1200 a,1200 b may include a chair back 1215 a, 1215 b, a lower lumbar support1220 a, 1220 b, a chair seat 1225 a, 1225 b, a foot-rest 1230 a, 1230 b,at least one arm-rest 1235 a, 1235 b (in some embodiments a chair mayinclude two arm-rests that are mirror images of one another), acalf-rest 1240 a, 1240 b, a support structure 1226 a, 1226 b, and/or achair reclining mechanism 1227 a, 1227 b. The powered recliner chair1200 a, 1200 b may be similar to, for example, any one of the poweredchairs 171, 200, 300, 400. The powered recliner chair 1200 a, 1200 b mayincorporate any one of the controllers and/or actuators as shown anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 6-10. Power and/or data wiring may berouted through cross-channels 1228 a. Legs 1229 a and the channels 1228a may be mounted to an associated floor and a modular powered reclinerchair may subsequently set in place on the legs 1229 a and channels 1228a. The legs 1229 a may be of pre-determined lengths in proportion to afloor slope such that the chairs set level.

Turning to FIGS. 13A and 13B, block diagrams for example recliner chaircontrol systems 1300 a, 1300 b are depicted. FIG. 13A depicts acontroller 1305 a, that may be included in one or more locations per row1320 a, 1325 a, per section 1310 a, 1315 a, and may be set to controlall A chair 1335 a locations in a respective row 1320 a, 1325 a andsection 1310 a, 1315 a. Alternatively or additionally, a controller 1305a may be included in one or more locations per row 1320 a, 1325 a persection and may be set to control all A and B chair 1335 a, 1330 a,respectively, locations in that row 1320 a, 1325 a and section 1310 a,1315 a. Any given chair may be, for example, similar to any one of therecliner chairs 210 of FIG. 2, or a group of recliner chairs 210.Control Z 1305 a may control all configurations. Various controller 1305a location and control options are depicted in FIG. 13B. The relatedcontrol may extend and/or retract associated reclining chair mechanism(e.g., chair mechanism 1227 a of FIG. 12A). For example, individualchair location control may be provided using an electrical switch (e.g.,switch 270 of FIG. 2) per chair. Alternatively or additionally, row 1320a, 1325 a control may be provided by way of an assigned master ormultiple master controllers 1305 a in the row 1320 b, 1322 b, 1325 b. Astudio control 1340 b may be proved to control of all chairs 1330 b,1335 b by a central control 1305 a. Alternatively, a studio control 1340b may control any and all locations in all rows 1320 b, 1322 b, 1325 band sections 1310 a, 1315 a. Optionally, an end of row controller 1305 aA location may control all A locations in the row 1320 b, 1322 b, 1325 bper section 1310 b. Yet optionally, a second from end controller 1305 amay control all B locations in the row 1320 b, 1322 b, 1325 b persection 1310 b. Yet alternatively, one or more A controller 1305 alocations may control all other A locations in a row 1320 b, 1322 b,1325 b per section 1310 b. Yet further optionally, one or more Bcontroller 1305 a locations may control all other B locations in the row1320 b, 1322 b, 1325 b per section 1310 a, 1315 a. Even further, an endof row controller 1305 a location may control all locations in the row1320 b, 1322 b, 1325 b per section 1310 a, 1315 a.

A remote controller (e.g., a studio control 1340 b) may becommunicatively connected to a local control (e.g., an A controller, a Bcontroller, or a controller located within each chair) via a hardwirednetwork and/or a wireless network. A hardwired network and/or a wirelessnetwork may be bi-directional (i.e., the remote controller may send datato the A controller, the B controller, or the controller located withineach chair, and the A controller, the B controller, or the controllerlocated within each chair may send data to the remote controller).Alternatively, each chair may include a control module (e.g., controlmodule 1490 e of FIG. 14E) that is in unidirectional communication witha master controller (e.g., a studio controller, an A controller, or a Bcontroller).

At least one first powered recliner chair may be assigned to a firstcontrol group (e.g., control group A) by at least one of: a first pinand shorting block, a first push button, a first hardwired connection, afirst circuit board with a hardwired connection, or a first entry in amemory (e.g., an IP address). At least one second powered recliner chairmay be assigned to a second control group (e.g., control group A) by atleast one of: a second pin and shorting block, a second push button, asecond hardwired connection, a second circuit board with a hardwiredconnection, or a second entry in a memory. A pin and shorting block maybe included within a control module (e.g., control module 1490 e of FIG.14E). A push button may be, for example, part of a chair retract/reclinepush button assembly (e.g., push button 1171 c or push button 1172 c ofFIG. 11C) or may be a push button incorporated into a control module(e.g., control module 1490 e of FIG. 14E). For example, a hole may beprovided in a cover of the control module 1490 e and a push button maybe incorporated on an associated circuit board within the control module1490 e. In any event, each powered recliner chair, within any givenvenue, may be provided with a unique identification relative to anyother chair within the venue. While both control group A and controlgroup B may be located in a common room (e.g., a single theater),control group A may be in a first room (e.g., a first theater) andcontrol group B may be in a second room (e.g., a second theater).

With reference to FIGS. 14A-H, example recliner chairs and relatedcontrol components 1400 a-1400 h are depicted. Any given recliner chair1400 a-1400 h may be similar to, for example, any one of the reclinerchairs from the group of recliner chairs 210 of FIG. 2, or a group 210of recliner chairs. The recliner chair 1400 a may include a recliningcontrol mechanism 1427 a, a control module 1490 a, and a transformer1496 a having an electrical connector 1491 a. The recliner chair 1400 bmay include a control module 1490 b having proximate chairinterconnections 1493 b, 1495 b, a remote control module connection 1492b, and a local control switch connection 1494 b. The recliner chair 1400c may include an electric power transformer 1496 c, an actuator 1460 c,a control module 1490 c, a control module/actuator connector 1493 c, atransformer/control module connector 1491 c, and a local control switchconnector 1494 c. The recliner chair 1400 d may include an electricpower transformer 1496 d, an actuator 1460 d, a control module 1490 d, acontrol module/actuator connector 1493 d, a transformer/control moduleconnector 1491 d, and a local control switch connector 1494 d. Therecliner chair 1400 e may include a control module 1490 e having abattery 1496 e, a first actuator connector 1494 e, a second actuatorconnector 1495 e, a first proximate chair connector 1493 e, and a secondproximate chair connector 1491 e. The recliner chair 1400 f may includea control module 1490 f having a battery 1496 f, a first actuatorconnector 1494 f, a second actuator connector 1495 f, a first proximatechair connector 1493 f, and a second proximate chair connector 1491 f.The recliner chair 1400 g may include a chair frame 1426 g, a chairrecliner mechanism 1427 g, and an actuator 1460 g. The recliner chair1400 h may include a chair frame 1426 h, a chair recliner mechanism 1427h, and a control module 1490 h. As shown in FIG. 14H, the control module1490 h may include a transparent cover and a light 1499 h. The light1499 h may, for example, be illuminated while the associated chair 1400h is in a theater cleaning position. Any given control module 1490 a,1490 c, 1490 h may be, for example, similar to any one of the controlmodules 800, 990 a, 990 b, 1090 a, 1090 b. Any given actuator 1460 a,1460 b, 1460 c, 1460 d, 1460 e, 1460 f, 1460 g may be, for example,similar to any one of the actuators 660, 665, 760, 860, 960 b, 1060 b,1065 b. Any given control module 1490 a, 1490 c, 1490 h may include achair recline relay output, a chair upright relay output, an emergencyrelay output, a lighting relay output, a combination thereof, or anysub-combination thereof.

Any given controller may be configured to control a single chair row,such that all chairs extend and/or retract via a single input.Alternatively or additionally, any given controller may be configured tocontrol a single chair row, such that every other chair extend and/orretract via a single input. Alternatively or additionally, any givencontroller may be configured to control an entire theater control, suchthat all chairs in a theater extend and/or retract via a single input.Alternatively or additionally, any given controller may be configured tocontrol an entire theater, such that every other chair extend and/orretract via a single input.

An associated power supply may be configured to provide daisy chainedhigh voltage power between recliner chairs to facilitate ease ofinstallation. For example, a single chair may be plugged into the highvoltage power and then extended to proximate chairs. A chair may havemultiple powered outlets, such as an extension cord or power strip thatother chairs may be plugged into. This may allow a chair to feed powerto other chairs, for example, in a row of chairs, thereby, eliminatingmultiple and expensive power outlets for each individual chair. Anelectrical power outlet may be incorporated into a chair, for example,in a top of an arm box, on a front vertical surface of the chair or armbox, on an inside surface of an arm box adjacent to a local chaircontrol switch, etc. An associated electrical power circuit may berouted down a row of chairs and may be T'ed into chair poweroutlets/isle lights.

A mechanical mechanism may be provided in addition to, or in lieu of,the automatic mechanisms (e.g., controller/actuator) to reclining anygiven chair or a group of chairs via an interlocked mechanicalmechanism. For example, a “C” clamp may be include that may bepositioned over an arm of a chair and may activate a switch (extend orretract based on clamp position). Thus, a system for applying a force toactivate the switch may be provided, such that a reactive force may becontained within the arm that contains the switch. Alternatively, a rodmay be provided that may extend between chair arms to activate a switch(extend or retract based on rod position). Thus, a system may beprovided for applying a force to activate the switch such that areactive force is contained within the chair. Such a system may make itunnecessary for the operator to wait while each chair extends/retracts.

A less sophisticated mechanical system may be provided where a personwalks down a row of chairs and applies a mechanical device toextend/retract each chair. The less sophisticated mechanical system maybe a standalone system or may be integrated along with a poweredextend/retract system.

Turning to FIG. 14J, a reclining chair 1400 j may include a leg rest1430, a first arm rest 1435 j, and a second arm rest 1437 j. The secondarm rest 1437 j may be movable (flip up arm) attached to, for example,the back of the chair and/or an associated arm box. Alternatively, achair may have a movable arm 1437 j attached to an arm box. Attachingthe second armrest 1437 j to the back may keep the arm rest in line withthe back preventing the interference with an adjacent chair occupant. Areclining chair 1400 j may, for example, be installed at an end of arow, next to an aisle, to facilitate use of the reclining chair 1400 jby a physically impaired individual (i.e., by incorporating a recliningchair 1400 j, an associated installation may satisfy, for example,adults with disability (ADA) requirements). As an alternative toconnecting a pivotal arm rest to a chair back, any given arm rest may behingedly attached to an associated arm box and/or chair assembly at afront or rear of the arm box. Any given arm rest may include a quickremoval feature such that the arm rest may be replaced in an event wherethe arm rest, or an arm rest covering, is, for example, damaged.

Any given reclining chair may include a “pillow top” configured to coverat least a portion of a respective chair (e.g., a foot rest, a leg rest,a chair seat, a chair arm, a chair back, and/or a head rest). A seatand/or back pillow top may be attached to an adjacent seat or back,respectively, thereby, creating a gap filler between the seat and backwhich may prevent items (e.g., personal items or trash) from fallingbelow the seating surfaces. Alternatively, a gap filler(s) may not bepart of a pillow top. A gap filler may be configures as: a gap fillerwith a temporary or permanent connection between a seat and/or back; agap filler with a temporary or permanent connection between the chairarm boxes and/or other members; or a gap filler as made from an at leastpartially permeable member which may be configured to assist indetermining which items are allowed to fall thru the chair while otheritems are limited from falling. An example of items that may bepermitted to fall through are popcorn kernels or liquids, while keepingitems of such as cell phones, money, etc. from falling below the seatingsurface. An alternative gap filler example may allow liquids to passthru, while items such as popcorn kernels, cell phones, etc. are notallowed to fall thru. Any given reclining chair theater system mayinclude passages or openings under the reclining chairs that allow itemsto move to an area of easier access.

A pillow top (e.g., a foot rest pillow top, a leg rest pillow top, achair seat pillow top, a chair arm pillow top, a chair back pillow top,and/or a head rest pillow top) may be removable. Alternatively, oradditionally, any/all pillow tops may include a fireproof (or fireresistant) and/or bullet proof material (e.g., carbon fiber compositematerial, Kevlar, Lexan, grapheme, composite material, wire mesh,anti-ballistic material, etc.). Thus, in emergency circumstances a chairoccupant may remove a respective pillow top (or pillow tops) and use thepillow top(s) for personal protection. Notably, notification of anemergency situation within a venue may be initiated via a central alarm(e.g., a manually operated fire alarm, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smokesensor, etc.), a sound detector (e.g., a gunshot detector, a screamdetector, etc.), and/or via a personal electronic device (e.g., a mobiletelephone, a portable data assistant, a laptop computer, or any otherportable electronic device that is communicatively coupled to a venueemergency notification system).

In addition to including a fireproof and/or anti-ballistic material asdescribed above, a removable pillow top may include arm sleeves, straps,handholds, etc. such that the removable pillow top is easy for anindividual to carry and/or use as a shield. In addition to, or as analternative to, a removable pillow top a chair seat, a chair back,and/or a chair arm may include fireproof and/or anti-ballistic materialfixed to the chair. Accordingly, the chair itself may provide protectionfrom fires and/or bullets.

As can be seen in FIGS. 14A and 14C-14H, an associated recliner chair1400 a, 1400 c-1400 h may include a back panel 1428 a, 1428 c-1428 h.The back panel 1428 a, 1428 c-1428 h may be removable, or repositionable(e.g., by comparing FIGS. 14A and C with FIGS. 14D-14H), to provideaccess under any given recliner chair 1400 a, 1400 c-1400 h.Alternatively, or additionally, a back panel 1428 a, 1428 c-1428 h maybe movably attached to a respective recliner chair 1400 a, 1400 c-1400h, such that the back panel 1428 a, 1428 c-1428 h may bemanually/automatically repositioned (e.g., to either a cleaning (access)position or a conceal position), and/or the back panel 1428 a, 1428c-1428 h may retain the respective position until manually/automaticallyreturned to the other position (e.g., to either a conceal position or acleaning (access) position).

Any given back panel 1428 a, 1428 c-1428 h may be configured to move inany direction while remaining attached to an associated reclining chair,and may remain in a position that aids cleaning and access. Additionalback panel 1428 a, 1428 c-1428 h movement directions may include: ahinged configuration such that the back panel swings like a door (e.g.,full swing or Dutch swing); moves upward; or upward and outward; orfolds downward, partially at an angle to the floor, or fully, such thatthe back panel rests on the floor when in an open position. A reclinerchair back panel may include portion(s) made of different materials thatmay conform or allow relative movement to adjacent surfaces. Forexample, a recliner chair on a inclined floor may include a back panel,hinged like a door, an having a lower edge made from pliable material(e.g., rubber, thin plastic, composite material, etc.) such that, whenthe back panel is opened, the lower compliant material allows the backpanel to swing open and not interfere with the inclined floor.Alternately, or additionally, back panel hinges may allow movement of anassociated back panel such that opening of the back panel is not impededby the floor or floor obstruction/conditions.

With reference to FIG. 14K, a reclining chair 1400 k may include a chairsupport frame 1426 k, a reclining mechanism 1427 k, and an actuator 1460k.

Turning to FIGS. 15A-D, recliner chairs 1500 a-d may include an arm box1535 a-d having a cub holder 1536 a-d, a top side panel 1541 a, a frontpanel 1543 a, a bottom side panel 1542 a, a back panel 1544 a, an accessopening 1539 a, support structures 1537 b-d, and a wire way passage 1538a-d. An arm box 1535 a-d with a wire routing channel(s) 1538 a-d mayinclude some or all of the following: assist in passage of wires such asswitch controls from inside to outside of the arm box; assist in passageof wires from one side of the arm box to the other side; cross brace1537 b-d; constructed of member which do not provide structure; containmembers which provide strain relief; members which are inserted fromeach side of the arm box and thus forming a wire management path;openings on one or more surfaces to allow additional wires or items toenter the wire management path; openings which have movable members;members positions such that the members limit entry of undesirable itemssuch as fluids; provision for a cover over one or more sides to allow anarm box with such wire management path to be covered so the arm box maybe used in situations where access from one or both or no sides isrequired; and/or isolated path ways. A reclining chair may include wiremanagement features to manage wires between arm boxes and with therecliner mechanism. Any given reclining chair system may include a Smartpower system mounted either internal to an arm box or external to thearm box.

With reference to FIGS. 16A-F, a powered reclining chair system 1600 a-fmay include a series of pluggable electrical interconnections having,for example, electrical conductors (e.g, power and/or data conductors)1605 b, 1605 c, 1605 e, a first plug 1610 b-f, a second plug 1615 b,1615 d, 1615 f, a flexible conduit 1620 b-f, and/or a restraining clamp1625 c-e. Any one of the pluggable electrical interconnections may be,for example, Electri-Pak available from Electri-Cable Assemblies,Shelton, Conn. Alternatively, or additionally, a powered reclining chairmay include modular wiring system(s) from Electric-Pak or Byrne Electricwhich allows connection of components (may be UL approved to promoteease of code approval) that may be factory or site installed. Suchproducts may be attached with fasteners or snaps in a fashion that aidsassembly, installation or service. Such system(s) may cooperate with thewire management system noted above. Such a system(s) may include lowvoltage, high voltage or data lines. Such system(s) may cooperate withclean sweep and/or smart power systems described elsewhere herein.

As an alternative to the configuration shown in FIG. 16D, power wiringmay be provided to a row of powered chairs via, for example, a plug incord having a three prong plug on a first end, at least one receptacleon a second end, and a series of “Y” (or “T”) female receptacles,connected to the cord, between the three prong plug on the first end andthe receptacle on the second end. Each female receptacle may include,for example, a fuse and/or a circuit breaker for electrical protectionof chair assemblies, and other electrical devices, that are plugged intothe respective receptacle.

A host of different circuit board configurations may be employed in anygiven recliner chair installation. For example, a circuit board may have2-inputs and 2-outputs. An interconnection may connect in line between alocal control switch and a motor (e.g., actuator) and may carry electriccurrent that controls the motor/actuator. Additionally, CAT-5 cables maybe included that carry control signals between chairs when a chair is innormal mode. A patron's local control switch actions (extend or retract)may be passed thru our control module thru the CAT-5 cables. When achair system is put into “clean/maintenance” mode signals may be passedthru the CAT-5 cable to allow a master chair to control other chairs.

Locations of a circuit board and/or transformer may be attached to arear chair board. Alternatively, a circuit board and/or transformer maybe attached to a rear motor/actuator cross tube. A control circuit maybe configured as a serial connection between modules, may be wired inparallel, or wires may be eliminated (or reduced) via wirelesscommunications.

A high voltage power connection may include a power strip/extension cordplugged into a high voltage feed with a receptacle end mounted on a rearcross tube, or a rear board adjacent to a transformer. A transformer maybe plugged into one outlet and proximate chair(s) may be plugged intoother outlet(s). This approach may reduce a number of expensive outletshardwired in an associated building, and may, employ an associated highvoltage feed line pre-wired in a chair. A rear chair panel may beremovable to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of a controller,actuator and/or recliner mechanisms.

Turning to FIGS. 17A-F, various views of example powered recliner chairassemblies 1700 a-f are depicted. The powered recliner chair assemblies1700 a-f may be similar to, for example, portions of the poweredrecliner chair assemblies 210 of FIG. 2. The powered recliner chairassemblies 1700 a-f may include a chair seat 1725 a-f, a foot rest 1730a-f, a chair arm 1735 a-f having a cup holder 1736 a-f and a chaircontroller (not shown in FIGS. 17A-F, however, similar to any one of thechair controllers described elsewhere herein), a chair side panel 1726a-f, chair recliner mechanism structure 1727 a-f, a power distributionpanel 1785 a-f, and power and/or control interconnecting cables 1707a-f, 1711 a-f, 1715 a-f, 1716 a-f.

With references to FIGS. 18A-H and 18J-L, various views of electricalpower and control assemblies 1800 a-h and 1800 j-l for use in poweredrecliner chairs are depicted. The electrical power and controlassemblies 1800 a-h and 1800 j-l and/or portions thereof may be similarto, for example, any one of the assemblies depicted in FIGS. 8, 9A-C,10A-C, 14A-H, 14J, 14K, and/or 16A-E. The power and control assemblies1800 a-h and 1800 j-l may include a chair controller 1860 a-h and j-l, apower supply 1890 a-h and j-l, a junction box/distribution panel 1885a-h and j-l, a support panel 1870 a-b having brackets 1871 a-b, 1872a-b, a junction box/distribution panel to power supply cable 1805 a-hand j-l having first and second plug ends 1806 a-h and j-l and 1807 a-hand j-l, a first chair-to-chair interconnection cable 1810 a-h and j-lhaving a first plug end 1811 a-h and j-l and a second plug ends 1812 a-hand j-l, a chair controller to chair control interconnection cable 1815a-h and j-l having first plug end 1816 a-h and j-l and a second plug end1817 a-h and j-l, a second chair-to-chair interconnection cable 1825 a-hand j-l having first plug end 1826 a-h and j-l and a second plug end1827 a-h and j-l, and a power supply to actuator/drive motor connectingcable 1830 a-h and j-l having a first plug end 1831 a-h and j-l and asecond plug end 1832 a-h and j-l. It should be understood that any oneof the interconnecting cables shown in FIGS. 17A-F, 18A-H, and 18J-L maybe similar to any one of the interconnecting cables of FIGS. 16A-E. Forexample, in lieu of a plug end any given interconnecting cable may havea hardwired (e.g., soldered connection) to a circuit board or terminalend. Any given plug end may be a male or female connection in accordancewith National Electric Code Standards.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17A-F, 18A-H, and 18J-L, power and/or controlwiring may extend under a chair arm box. Alternatively, or additionally,power and/or control wiring may extend into a slot under chair arm box,and may be secured in position using at least one of: brackets holdingmodular wiring in advantageous positions to avoid being disturbed duringassociated venue/chair cleaning; via a power supply (e.g., power supply1890 b) being secured in position; a chair control being secured inposition; routing wires through chair structural members (e.g., boxbeams and/or structural channels); and/or by preventing plugs from beingun-plugged via restraining clamps. An electrical power and controlassembly 1800 a-h and j-l may be configured such that the panel ispre-assembled with an associated junction box/distribution panel, apower supply, a chair controller, and associated interconnecting cables,such that the electrical power and control assembly may be quicklyinstalled within an associated powered recliner chair without the needfor skilled labor. Thereby, powered recliner chair installation time maybe reduced and labor costs may be reduced when compared to poweredrecliner chairs that do not include pre-assembled electrical power andcontrol panels. A chair arm box may be, for example, installed against ariser without a chair back hitting the chair arm or the riser when therecliner chair is reclined.

As shown in FIG. 18E, any given power or data connector may be held inplace via a finger 1886 e, or multiple fingers 1886 e. Thereby, screwsand/or similar fasteners are not required to retain the connectors inplace. A bracket 1885 f may be mounted on, for example, a rear of eachpowered recliner chair.

A first power supply may be configured to, for example, supply electricpower to a first actuator in a first chair and a second actuator in asecond chair. A second power supply may be configured to, for example,supply electric power to a third actuator in a third chair and a fourthactuator in a fourth chair. First electric power conductors may extendfrom the first power supply to the second power supply proximate secondelectric power conductors that extend from, for example, the first powersupply to the second actuator. Any given power supply may provideelectric power to, for example, up to ten chair assemblies. Electricpower conductors extending between individual power supplies may operateat a higher voltage compared to electric conductors that extend from thepower supply to associated actuators.

Turning to FIG. 19, a method for controlling a plurality of poweredrecliner chairs 1900 may include assigning at least one first poweredrecliner chair to a first control group (block 1905). The at least onefirst powered recliner chair may be assigned to the first control groupby, for example, at least one of: a first pin and shorting block, afirst push button, or a first entry in a memory. The method 1900 mayfurther include assigning at least one second powered recliner chair toa second control group (block 1910). The at least one second poweredrecliner chair may be assigned to the second control group by, forexample, at least one of: a second pin and shorting block, a second pushbutton, or a second entry in a memory. The method may also includecausing the at least one first powered recliner chair to reorient to afirst orientation in response to a first remote control input (block1915). The method may yet further include causing the at least onesecond powered recliner chair to reorient to a second orientation inresponse to a second remote control input (block 1920). The firstorientation may be independent of the second orientation. The firstorientation may be a reclined orientation and the first control input isa venue cleaning input. The second orientation may be a reclinedorientation and the first control input is a venue cleaning input. Thefirst orientation may be an upright orientation and the first controlinput is a venue emergency input. The second orientation may be anupright orientation and the first control input is a venue emergencyinput.

The method 1900 may further include generating the first control inputand the second control input in response to an automatic venue cleaningsequence (block 1925). The method 1900 may also include energizing atleast one first light source in response to the first control input(block 1930). The method 1900 may yet further include energizing atleast one second light source in response to the second control signal(block 1935). The method may also include automatically prohibiting asecond powered recliner chair from starting to reorient at the same timethat a first chair starts to reorient (block 1940).

The method 1900 may be implemented by a processor (e.g., processor 164of FIG. 1) executing a set of computer-executable instructions (e.g.,the set of computer-readable instructions stored memory 165 of FIG. 1).Alternatively, the method 1900 may be implement by dedicated hardware(e.g., one or more discrete component circuits, one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.). Although the method 1900 isdescribed with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 19, manyother methods of implementing the method 1900 may alternatively be used.For example, the order of execution of the blocks illustrated in FIG. 19may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed,eliminated, or combined.

Cup holders are often incorporated into venue seating (e.g., theaterseating, auditorium seating, sports arena seating, concert hall seating,etc.). A cup holder may be incorporated into an associated chair or maybe attached to, for example, a back of chair that is located in front ofan associated chair. Cup holders may be retrofitted to an associatedseating installation subsequent to the corresponding chairs beinginstalled. The cup holders of the present disclosure may provideflexible installation. A cup holder of the present disclosure may besecurely attached to an associated chair or may be attached to, forexample, a back of chair that is located in front of an associatedchair.

An accessory tray assembly (e.g., a snack tray, a writing tray, a snacktray with cup holder, etc.) of the present disclosure may be attached toa chair, in a field installation, without having to modify an associatedchair. For example, an accessory tray assembly of the present disclosuremay include a tray base that may drop into a space normally occupied bya cup holder and may be clamped to a chair arm box structure with, forexample, lock dogs. Alternatively, attachment of the base may includescrews instead of, or in addition to, clamp dogs.

Accessory tray load may be carried by bearings. The bearings may bepositioned to carry loads and reduce tray movements. For example, afirst bearing may be place outboard of a center portion of a tray baseto reduce movement and increase load carrying capabilities.

An accessory tray assembly attachment mechanism may be free of exposedfasteners. For example, associated fasteners may be hidden by a cupholder. An associated cup holder may be retained by a unique center plugand screw arrangement. Associated attachment lock dogs and/or screws maybe accesses access holes in a tray support that are aligned withfasteners in a tray base.

An accessory tray assembly may, for example, incorporate ¼ turn lockingdogs to simplify installation and removal. An accessory tray assemblymay, for example, incorporate access windows to aid installation andtightening of lock dogs and/or screws. An accessory tray assembly may,for example, incorporate features to insure proper position and functionof associated lock dogs and/or screws. An accessory tray assembly may,for example, include other items post attached to the arm box to aidattachment of the accessory tray assembly to the associated chair.

An accessory tray assembly may be left-handed, right-handed, or may beambidextrous. An accessory tray assembly may incorporate stops to limitmovement. An accessory tray assembly may incorporate at least onebiasing spring, or other devise, to automatically return the tray to astored or open position. An accessory tray assembly may incorporate atleast one locking mechanism configured to temporarily stop an associatedtray in a closed, an opened, an intermediate position, anysub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof. An accessory trayassembly may incorporate a complex shaped snack tray support arm tominimize costs while providing superior strength compared to knowntrays. An accessory tray assembly may include an attachment having atleast one attachment mechanism for removably securing the accessory traywithin a receptacle of a chair. An accessory tray assembly may includedrain holes for draining liquids that enter the assembly. An accessorytray assembly may include drain holes which serve as access holes forsnack tray attachment features.

An accessory tray assembly may omit a cup holder, and the cup holder maybe replaced with other feature(s). Any of the embodiments described toinclude a cup holder may similarly apply to these embodiments. Anaccessory tray assembly may include features to aid orientation of thesnack tray during assembly. An accessory tray assembly may includefeatures to aid the orientation of the snack tray during assembly to thechair. An accessory tray assembly may include a snack tray containing asupport and table top which may be folded to minimize storage space andmaximize use space. An accessory tray assembly may include a snack traycontaining a support and table top which may be folded to minimizestorage space and maximize use space. An accessory tray assembly mayinclude design to include features to reduce, minimize or preventspillage when in a closed position. An accessory tray assembly mayinclude a snack tray containing a support and table top which may befolded to minimize storage space and maximize use space.

An accessory tray assembly may include design to include features tocommunicate tray position to a remote computing device. An accessorytray assembly may include a snack tray containing display devices tocommunicate with customers and staff. An accessory tray assembly mayinclude a snack tray which incorporates a means to automatically reclineor partially recline an associated chair based on position of the snacktray. An accessory tray assembly may include a snack tray which maycoordinate a snack tray position and a chair position. For example,cooperation between a tray position and a chair position may beaccomplished mechanically, electromechanically, electrically or by othermeans.

A chair may incorporate a tray which communicates with a chair control,operational system, ticketing systems and/or other entertainment andordering systems, to enhance venue or customer experience. For example,features may include locking the tray in a closed position if a ticketis not purchased and/or signaling based on position. An accessory trayassembly may include display(s) that welcome customers, advertisespecials, etc. An accessory tray assembly may incorporate devices to aidordering of food or services, etc. An accessory tray assembly mayinclude a tray which may open when an event occurs such as an end ofshow, a fire alarm sounds and/or may automatically close (partially orfully) when an associated seat is unoccupied.

A snack tray support may include features to aid or conceal wirerouting, switches, displays or associated equipment to aid in theimplementation of functions described. An accessory tray assembly mayinclude a snack tray which may be powered to an opened, closed orintermediate position. An accessory tray assembly may include a snacktray which may be assisted by an energy storage device such as a springmove to an opened, closed or intermediate position. An accessory trayassembly may include a snack tray which may be assisted or resisted by adamper during movement to an opened, closed or intermediate position.

Turning to FIG. 20A, a chair assembly 2000 a may include a chair 2005 ahaving a first cup holder 2010 a and an accessory tray assembly 2015 aincluding a second cup holder 2020 a. The accessory tray assembly 2015 ais shown in a non-use position. While the chair 2005 a is shown as apowered recliner chair (e.g., as described in detail within the commonlyassigned patent applications that are incorporated by reference above),any given chair 2005 a may be as described in any other commonlyassigned patent applications that is incorporated by reference above, ormay be any other suitable chair.

Operation of a powered recliner chair may be enabled when a ticket forthe particular chair is purchased. Thereby, in venues that include bothstandard chairs and powered recliner chairs, a patron is unable tooccupy a powered recliner chair without buying a corresponding ticket. Avenue cleaning system may include a remote control that reorients onlychairs that were occupied (i.e., a ticket was purchased for the chair)subsequent to a previous cleaning and/or during a previous event.Thereby, reorientation of the chairs is reduced when compared toreorienting all chairs during each venue cleaning cycle.

A chair assembly may include a touch screen, or an associated device(e.g., a smart phone, a personal data assistant, a lap top computer,etc.) having a touch screen, may be configured to include a drag bar orswipe feature to extend and/or retract a chair a desired distance. Allnon-occupied powered recliner chairs within a given venue may beautomatically partially reclined such that the chair backs do not affectsight lines of patrons seated behind the non-occupied chairs.Alternatively, or additionally, chairs that have not been purchased maybe partially reclined when patrons enter behind the un-purchased chair.This may help sight lines and identified purchased chairs.

A touch screen associated with a given chair may be configured toinclude swipe gestures to control the chair (e.g., half swipe=half openposition); a pinch to close the chair; preset chair position buttons;and/or a chair and/or venue may remember customers favoritepositions/screen layouts (e.g., color scheme, button layouts etc.). Acustomer ID may be determined by tying into a point of sale system suchthat when a customer buys a reserved seat, the chair may be activatedand with the given customer's favorite control panel layout and presetposition buttons; allow a customer to enter a code (e.g., their frequentmovie goer ID) to recall their favorite control panel layout and presetposition buttons; a finger print reader; and/or a read card or dongleprovided by theater.

A “Welcome message” may be added to a screen (e.g., “This luxuryrecliner is reserved for CUSTOMER). Screen graphics may changeorientation based on whether a given chair is occupied (e.g., graphicsfacing standing or seated customer). A screen layout may have buttons totie into non-movie related services (e.g., have valet parking bring mycar up, prepare my pre-ordered meal or snacks at local eatery, etc.).Available buttons on a screen may change with movie progress (e.g.,during preshow food ordering buttons, during trailers, buttons toadvance ordering of tickets of show on trailer, buttons for services,such as described above, at end of show, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 20B, a chair assembly 2000 b may include a chair2005 b having a first cup holder 2010 b and an accessory tray assembly2015 b including a second cup holder 2020 b. The accessory tray assembly2015 b is shown in an in-use position. While the chair 2005 b is shownas a powered recliner chair (e.g., as described in detail within thecommonly assigned patent applications that are incorporated by referenceabove), any given chair 2005 b may be as described in any other commonlyassigned patent applications that is incorporated by reference above, ormay be any other suitable chair.

Turning to FIGS. 21A-21C, an accessory tray assembly 2100 a, 2100 b,2100 c may include a tray 2115 a, 2115 b, 2115 c secured to a traysupport 2125 b, 2125 c via, for example, fasteners 2129 c (e.g., screws,bolts, adhesive, co-molding, etc. The tray support 2125 b, 2125 c may bea casting (e.g., a steel casting, an iron casting, an aluminum casting,a composite material casting, etc.). Alternatively, the tray support2125 b, 2125 c may be a stamping (e.g., a metal stamping), a moldedplastic, or may be a composite structure. The accessory tray assembly2100 a, 2100 b, 2100 c may include a tray base 2135 b, 2135 c and lockdogs 2136 b, 2136 c.

With reference to FIGS. 22A-22D, an accessory tray assembly 2200 a, 2200b, 2200 c, 2200 d may include a tray support 2225 a, 2238 b, 2225 c,2225 d having a first support extension 2226 a, 2226 d, a second supportextension 2227 a, 2227 d, a third support extension 2228 a, 2228 d, andfasteners 2229 c, 2229 d. The tray support 2225 a, 2238 b, 2225 c, 2225d may be similar to, for example, the tray support 2125 b, 2125 c. Theaccessory tray assembly 2200 a, 2200 b, 2200 c, 2200 d may include atray base 2235 a, 2235 b, 2235 c and lock dogs 2236 b, 2236 c. As shownin the cross section view 22B-22B of FIG. 22B, the accessory trayassembly 2200 a, 2200 b, 2200 c, 2200 d may include screw 2240 b tosecure the tray support 2225 a, 2238 b, 2225 c, 2225 d to the tray base2235 a, 2235 b, 2235 c. The accessory tray assembly 2200 a, 2200 b, 2200c, 2200 d may include a plug 2241 b configured to cover the screw 2240b. The tray support 2225 a, 2238 b, 2225 c, 2225 d and/or the tray base2235 a, 2235 b, 2235 c may include access holes 2239 b aligned with lockdog screws 2237 b such that, for example, the lock dogs 2236 b, 2236 cmay be engaged with a corresponding chair attachment (e.g., chairattachment 2860 a, 2860 b of FIGS. 28A and 28B, respectively).

Turning to FIGS. 23A-E, an accessory tray assembly 2300 a-e may includea tray 2315 a, having a cup holder receptacle 2320 a-e, secured to atray support 2325 a-e, having a first support extension 2326 a-e asecond support extension 2327 a-e, and a third support extension 2328a-e, via tray fasteners 2329 a-e. The tray support 2325 a-e may berotatably secured to a center post 2344 a-e of a tray base 2335 a-e viaa tray support fastener 2340 a-e and associated washer 2342 a-e. Theaccessory tray assembly 2300 a-e may include an inner bearing 2350 a-eand an outer bearing 2355 a-e juxtaposed between the tray support 2325a-e and the tray base 2335 a-e configured to carry loads and reduce traymovements. The accessory tray assembly 2300 a-e may include at least onebiasing spring 2345 a-e, or other devise, to automatically return thetray 2315 a-e to a stored position (e.g., non-use position) or an openposition (e.g., in-use position). The accessory tray assembly 2300 a-emay include a plug 2341 a-e to obscure (or hide) the tray supportfastener 2340 a-e. The tray support 2325 a-e and/or the tray base 2335a-e may include access holes (e.g., access holes 2239 b of FIG. 22B)aligned with lock dog screws 2342 a-e such that, for example, the lockdogs 2336 a-e may be engaged with a corresponding chair attachment(e.g., chair attachment 2860 a, 2860 b of FIGS. 28A and 28B,respectively). The accessory tray assembly 2300 a-e may include at leastone stop 2343 a-e to limit movement of the tray 2315 a in at least oneof: a closed position, an opened position, an intermediate position, anysub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 23B-E, electric power and/or data conductors2375 b-e may be routed through portions of the accessory tray assembly2300 b-e (e.g., access holes 2239 b of FIG. 22B). The electric powerand/or data conductors 2375 b-e may route thru an upper casting 2335 a-dof an accessory tray assembly 2300 b-e and/or a cup holder 2321 a, 2321b, 2321 d. Alternatively, or additionally, the electric power and/ordata conductors 2375 b-e may route thru screw access holes (e.g., accessholes 2239 b of FIG. 22B). The electric power and/or data conductors2375 b-e may exit thru a hole (e.g., access holes 2239 b of FIG. 22B) toa light 2380 b, 2380 d mounted to, for example, the accessory trayassembly 2300 b. Alternatively, or additionally, the electric powerand/or data conductors 2375 b-e may route to a light 2380 b, 2380 dand/or a user interface display (e.g., user interface display 3600, 3700a-d, 4400 a-d, 4500, 5100 a-e) could be mounted to the accessory trayassembly 2300 b and/or a side of an arm box (e.g., arm box 4305 a, 4305b). A tray 2315 a may define a user interface display and the electricpower and/or data conductors 2375 b-e may route thru screw access holes(e.g., access holes 2239 b of FIG. 22B) to the tray 2315 a.

With reference to FIGS. 24A-24G, an accessory tray assembly 2400 a, 2400b, 2400 c, 2400 d, 2400 e, 2400 f, 2400 g may include a tray support2425 a, 2425 b, 2425 c, 2425 d, 2425 f pivotally attached to a tray base2435 e, 2433 f, 2435 g with interposing inner bearing 2465 a and outerbearing 2455 a. The accessory tray assembly 2400 a, 2400 b, 2400 c, 2400d, 2400 e, 2400 f, 2400 g may be similar to, for example, the accessorytray assembly 2300 a of FIG. 23A. The tray support 2425 a, 2425 b, 2425c, 2425 d, 2425 f may be similar to, for example, the tray support 2325of FIG. 23, and may include a first extension 2426 d, a second extension2427 d, and a third extension 2428 d. The tray base 2435 e, 2433 f, 2435g may be similar to, for example, the tray base 2335 of FIG. 23. Theinner bearing 2465 a may be similar to, for example, the inner bearing2350 of FIG. 23. The outer bearing 2455 a may be similar to, forexample, the outer bearing 2355 of FIG. 23. The accessory tray assembly2400 a, 2400 b, 2400 c, 2400 d, 2400 e, 2400 f, 2400 g may include atleast one access hole 2434 f for accessing tray base 2435 e, 2433 f,2435 g fasteners (e.g., lock dogs or screws) and at least one tray stopboss 2426 f having a radius 2427 f of, for example, 6 mm.

The inner bearing 2465 a may have an inside cross section dimension 2465a of 15 mm and a cross section thickness dimension 2468 a of 5.3 mm. Theouter bearing 2455 a may have a radius dimension 2455 a of 95 mm and abearing surface dimension 2466 a of 5 mm. The a tray rest position 2467a, 2489 c (e.g., a tray stop position biased by a spring) of the traysupport 2425 a, 2425 b, 2425 c, 2425 d, 2425 f may be, for example, 15degrees with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to an associatedchair arm (e.g., as shown in FIG. 20B). Optionally, the tray support2425 a, 2425 b, 2425 c, 2425 d, 2425 f may have a full rotation 2469 aof 360 degrees with respect to the tray base 2435 e, 2433 f, 2435 g.

The tray support 2425 a, 2425 b, 2425 c, 2425 d, 2425 f and tray base2435 e, 2433 f, 2435 g may include a first dimension 2451 a of 325 mm, asecond dimension 2452 a of 125 mm, a third dimension 2453 a of 98 mm, afourth dimension 2454 a of 70 mm, a fifth dimension 2449 a of 10 mm, asixth dimension 2456 a of 19 mm, a seventh dimension 2457 a of 60 mm, aneighth dimension 2458 a of 182 mm, a ninth dimension 2459 a of 4.5 mm, atenth dimension 2460 a of 125 mm, an eleventh dimension 2461 a of 325mm, a twelve dimension 2462 a of 46.26 mm, a thirteenth dimension 2463 aof 52 mm, a fourteenth dimension 2464 a of 80 mm, a fifteenth dimension2469 b of 96 mm, a sixteenth dimension 2470 b of 4.5 mm, a seventeenthdimension 2471 b of 23 mm, an eighteenth dimension 2472 b of 4.3 mm, anineteenth dimension 2473 b of 15 mm, a twentieth dimension 2474 b of 60mm, a twenty-first dimension 2475 b of 40.1 mm, a twenty-seconddimension 2476 b of 5 mm, a twenty-third dimension 2477 b of 3 mm, atwenty-fourth dimension 2478 b of 19 mm, a twenty-fifth dimension 2479 bof 5 mm, a twenty-sixth dimension 2480 b of 1.5 mm, a twenty-seventhdimension 2481 b of 0.25 mm, a twenty-eighth dimension 2482 b of 5 mm, atwenty-ninth dimension 2461 c of 350 mm, a thirtieth dimension 2483 c of260 mm, a thirty-first dimension 2484 c of 4.5 mm, a thirty-seconddimension 2485 c of 6 mm, a thirty-third dimension 2486 c of 12.3 mm, athirty-fourth dimension 2487 c of 200 mm, a thirty-fifth dimension 2488c of 38 mm, a thirty-sixth dimension 2490 c of 35 mm, a thirty-seventhdimension 2491 c of 15 mm, a thirty-eighth dimension 2426 e of a traystop of 8 mm and an associated thirty-ninth dimension 2427 e of a traystop catch of 11.8 mm, a fortieth dimension 2428 e of a radius of atemporary tray stop of 10.5 mm, a forty-first dimension 2430 e of aradius of a tray stop plate of 75 mm, a forty-second dimension 2431 e ofa tray stop plate fastener radius of 6.5 mm, a forty-third dimension2432 e of a degree of rotation between a tray stop and a temporary traystop of 45 degrees, a forty-fourth dimension 2433 e of a degree ofrotation between a tray stop and a temporary tray stop of 45 degrees, aforty-fifth dimension 2430 f of 35 mm, a forty-sixth dimension 2428 f of38 degrees, a forty-seventh dimension 2429 f of 12 degrees, aforty-eighth dimension 2431 f of 12 degrees, and a forty-ninth dimension2432 f of 36 degrees. The specific dimensions provided above are forillustrative purposes only, it should be understood that the dimensionsmay be increased, or decreased, in, for example, proportion to oneanother. Alternatively, any individual dimension may be increased ordecreased by, for example, +/−5-10% in proportion to any mating part.

The tray base 2435 e, 2433 f, 2435 g may include a first dimension 2426g of 113 mm, a second dimension 2427 g of 95 mm, a third dimension 2428g of 18 mm, a fourth dimension 2429 g of 7 mm, a fifth dimension 2430 gof 5 mm, and a sixth dimension 2431 g of 40 mm. The specific dimensionsprovided above are for illustrative purposes only, it should beunderstood that the dimensions may be increased, or decreased, in, forexample, proportion to one another. Alternatively, any individualdimension may be increased or decreased by, for example, +/−5-10% inproportion to any mating part.

Turning to FIGS. 25A and 25B, a tray base 2535 a, 2535 b, for use withinaccessory tray assemblies 2500 a, 2500 b, may include base stand-offs2537 b, access holes 2539 b, a center tray pivot post 2538 b, and atleast one tray stop 2543 b. The tray base 2535 a, 2535 b may be similarto, for example, the tray base 2335 of FIG. 23 or the tray base traybase 2435 e, 2433 f, 2435 g of FIGS. 24E, 24F, 24G, respectively. Thetray base 2535 a, 2535 b and/or tray base plate may include a firstdimension 2544 a of a radius of a tray stop catch of 31 mm, a seconddimension 2545 a of a tray stop radius of 22 mm, a third dimension 2546a of 5 mm, a fourth dimension 2547 a of 6.5 mm, a fifth dimension 2548 aof 15.55 mm, and a sixth dimension 2549 a of 6.5 mm. The specificdimensions provided above are for illustrative purposes only, it shouldbe understood that the dimensions may be increased, or decreased, in,for example, proportion to one another. Alternatively, any individualdimension may be increased or decreased by, for example, +/−5-10% inproportion to any mating part.

An accessory tray assembly may include an attachment having at least oneattachment mechanism for removably securing the accessory tray within areceptacle of a chair. An accessory tray assembly may include drainholes 2539 b for draining liquids that enter the assembly. An accessorytray assembly may include drain holes 2539 b which serve as access holesfor snack tray attachment features. An accessory tray assembly a cupholder may be omitted and replace by other feature(s). All of theembodiments described herein that include cup holders may not include acup holder. An accessory tray assembly may include features 2543 a toaid orientation of the snack tray during assembly. An accessory trayassembly may include features to aid the orientation of the snack trayduring assembly to the chair.

With reference to FIGS. 26A-26D, an outer bearing 2655 a, 2655 b, 2655c, 2655 d, for use within accessory tray assemblies 2600 a, 2600 b, 2600c, 2600 d, may include at least one stop alignment 2643 c, at least onetemporary tray stop alignment 2644 c having a first dimension 2658 b of6 mm and a second dimension 2662 b of 8 mm, a first outside dimension2656 d of 99 mm, a second dimension 2656 b of 1.75 mm, a third dimension2657 b of 2.25 mm, a fourth dimension 2660 b of 12 mm, a fifth dimension2661 b of 3 mm, a sixth dimension 2656 a of a radius of 8 mm, a seventhdimension 2657 a of an angle of 45 degrees, an eighth dimension 2658 aof 1 mm, and a ninth dimension 2659 a of 37 mm. The outer bearing 2655a, 2655 b, 2655 c, 2655 d may be similar to, for example, the outerbearing 2355 of FIG. 23 or the outer bearing 2455 a of FIG. 24A. Thespecific dimensions provided above are for illustrative purposes only,it should be understood that the dimensions may be increased, ordecreased, in, for example, proportion to one another. Alternatively,any individual dimension may be increased or decreased by, for example,+/−5-10% in proportion to any mating part.

Turning to FIGS. 27A-27C, a biasing spring 2700 a, 2700 b, 2700 c, foruse within accessory tray assemblies, may include a first catch 2701 a,2701 c having a horizontal section 2702 a, 2702 b and a vertical section2703 a, a second catch 2704 a, 2704 c having a horizontal section 2705a, 2705 b and a vertical section 2706 a, and a spring coil 2707 a. Thebiasing spring 2700 a, 2700 b, 2700 c may be similar to, for example,the biasing spring 2345 of FIG. 23. The biasing spring 2700 a, 2700 b,2700 c may include a first dimension 2710 b of 17 mm, a second dimension2711 b of 31 mm, a third dimension 2712 b of 6.5 mm, a fourth dimension2713 b of 4 mm, a fifth dimension 2714 c of 31 mm, and a relaxed springdimension 2715 c of 90 degrees. The biasing spring 2700 a, 2700 b, 2700c may be made from, for example, spring steel having an outside radiusdimension of 2 mm. The specific dimensions provided above are forillustrative purposes only, it should be understood that the dimensionsmay be increased, or decreased, in, for example, proportion to oneanother. Alternatively, any individual dimension may be increased ordecreased by, for example, +/−5-10% in proportion to any mating part.

With reference to FIGS. 28A and 28B, components of an accessory trayassembly 2800 b and related chair attachment components 2800 a mayinclude a tray 2815 b, having a cup holder receptacle 2820 b, secured toa tray support 2825 b, having a first support extension 2826 b a secondsupport extension 2827 b, and a third support extension 2828 b, via trayfasteners 2829 b. The accessory tray assembly 2800 b may be similar to,for example, the accessory tray assembly 2300 of FIG. 23. The traysupport 2825 b may be rotatably secured to a center post 2844 b of atray base 2835 b via a tray support fastener 2840 b and associatedwasher 2842 b. The accessory tray assembly 2800 b may include an innerbearing 2850 b and an outer bearing 2855 b juxtaposed between the traysupport 2825 b and the tray base 2835 b configured to carry loads andreduce tray movements. The accessory tray assembly 2800 b may include atleast one biasing spring 2845 b, or other devise, to automaticallyreturn the tray 2815 b to a stored position (e.g., non-use position asshown in FIG. 20A) or an open position (e.g., in-use position as shownin FIG. 20B). The accessory tray assembly 2800 b may include a plug 2841b to obscure (or hide) the tray support fastener 2840 b. The traysupport 2825 b and/or the tray base 2835 b may include access holes(e.g., access holes 2239 b of FIG. 22B) aligned with lock dog screws2842 b such that, for example, the lock dogs 2836 b may be engaged witha corresponding chair attachment 2860 a, 2860 b. The accessory trayassembly 2800 b may include at least one stop 2843 b to limit movementof the tray 2815 b in at least one of: a closed position, an openedposition, an intermediate position, any sub-combination thereof, or acombination thereof.

The chair attachment 2860 a, 2860 b may be, for example, configured asan integral structural member of a chair arm 2800 a. The chair arm 2800a may include a cup holder receptacle 2821 a, a series of structuralbraces 2865 a, 2866 a, and at least one wire-way 2867 a.

Turning to FIGS. 29A and 29B, an accessory tray assembly and relatedattachment components. An accessory tray assembly 2900 a, 2900 b mayinclude a tray 2915 a, 2915 b that is movable between a generallyvertical stored position and a generally horizontal in-use position, aball and socket (or knuckle) 2925 a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 b disposedbetween and operably connecting the tray 2915 a, 2915 b and a mount. Theball and socket (or knuckle) 2925 a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 b may include afirst and a second generally planar surfaces 2936 a, 2937 a, 2936 b,2937 b defining an oblique angle with respect to one another. The balland socket (or knuckle) 2925 a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 b may be pivotablyattached to a mount 2935 a, 2935 b at the first surface which may definea first plane of rotation of the ball and socket (or knuckle) 2925a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 b with respect to the mount, and the ball andsocket (or knuckle) 2925 a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 b may be pivotablyattached to the tray at the second surface which may define a secondplane of rotation of the ball and socket (or knuckle) 2925 a/2935 a,2925 b/2935 b with respect to the tray. The tray may be movable betweena stored position and an in-use position by a rotation between the balland socket (or knuckle) 2925 a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 b and the mount inthe first plane of rotation and between the tray and the ball and socket(or knuckle) 2925 a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 b in the second plane ofrotation. During rotation in the first plane of rotation, rotation inthe second plane of rotation may be locked. During rotation in thesecond plane of rotation, rotation in the first plane of rotation may belocked.

An accessory tray assembly may include a tray movable between agenerally vertical stored position and a generally horizontal in-useposition and a ball and socket (or knuckle) 2925 a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 boperable between the tray and a mount, the ball and socket (or knuckle)2925 a/2935 a, 2925 b/2935 b may include an elbow, a first plate 3038 b,and a second plate 3039 b. The elbow may include first and second planarsurfaces 3036 a, 3036 b, 3037 a, 3037 b defining an oblique angle withrespect to one another. The first plate may be rotateably attached tothe first surface of the elbow and the second plate is rotateablyattached to the second surface of the elbow. The first surface may bedisposed at an angle of at least sixty degrees with respect to thesecond surface. The first plate may be fixedly attached to the mount andthe second plate is fixedly attached to the tray.

Contact between the first plate and second plate may require the tray tobe moveable between the generally vertical stored position and thegenerally horizontal in-use position in two consecutive movements. Thefirst movement may include the tray and ball and socket (or knuckle)1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 b rotating at least 100 degrees about a firstaxis and the second movement may include the tray rotating at least 90degrees about a second axis.

An accessory tray assembly for attachment to a seat assembly having aframe and two arm rests supported by the frame, each of the two armrests may include an inner edge defining an inner vertical plane, withthe space defined between inner vertical planes of the two arm restsdefining a seating space, the accessory tray assembly may include a traymovable between a generally vertical stored position and a generallyhorizontal in-use position; a ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935a, 1025 b/2935 b disposed between and operably connecting the tray andthe frame, the ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 bpivotably attached to the frame and pivotable about a first axis, andthe ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 b pivotablyattached to the tray and pivotable about a second axis, the first axisand the second axis being obliquely angled with respect to one another.The tray may be movable between the stored position and the in-useposition by rotation between the ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 b and the frame about the first axis and betweenthe tray and the ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935b about the second axis. In the stored position, the tray may bedisposed under one of the two arm rests and outside of the seating spaceof the seat assembly and adjacent seat assemblies. As the tray is movedbetween the stored position and the in-use position, no part of the traycrosses into the seating space of adjacent seat assemblies. As the traymoves between the in-use position and the stored position, the tray maymove under the associated arm rest without displacing the arm rest.

An accessory tray assembly may include a mount having a mount attachmentsurface; a tray movable between a generally vertical stored position anda generally horizontal in-use position, the tray may include a trayattachment surface; a ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025b/2935 b operable between the tray and the mount. The mount attachmentsurface may be rotateably attached to a first surface of the ball andsocket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 b and the tray attachmentsurface may be rotateably attached to a second surface of the ball andsocket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 b. The first and secondsurfaces of the ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935b may define an oblique angle with respect to one another. During arotation between the mount and the ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 b, contact between the mount attachment surfaceand the tray attachment surface may substantially prevent rotationbetween the tray and the ball and socket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a,1025 b/2935 b. During a rotation between the tray and the ball andsocket (or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 b, contact between themount attachment surface and the tray attachment surface maysubstantially prevent rotation between the mount and the ball and socket(or knuckle) 1025 a/2935 a, 1025 b/2935 b.

With reference to FIGS. 30A-30C, an accessory tray assembly 3000 a, 3000b, 3000 c and related attachment components may include a tray 3015 a,3015 b, 3015 c movable between a generally vertical stored position anda generally horizontal in-use position; and a swivel joint 3035 a, 3035b, 3035 c operable between the tray and a mount 3025 a, 3025 b, 3025 c,the swivel joint having an elbow, a first plate 3036 a, 3036 b, 3036 c,and a second plate 3037 a, 3037 b, 3037 c. The first plate may befixedly attached to a mount mating surface 3026 b, 3026 c of the mount3025 a, 3025 b, 3025 c and the second plate may be fixedly attached to atray mating surface 3016 b, 3016 c of the tray. The first plate mayinclude a generally planar attachment surface rotateably attached to afirst surface of the elbow and a first tab at an obligue angle withrespect to the attachment surface of the first plate. The second platemay include a generally planar attachment surface rotateably attached toa second surface of the elbow and a second tab at an oblique angle withrespect to the attachment surface of the second plate. During a rotationbetween the first plate and the elbow, contact between the attachmentsurface of the first plate and the second tab may substantially preventrotation between the second plate and the elbow. During a rotationbetween the second plate and the elbow, contact between the first taband the attachment surface of the second plate may substantially preventrotation between rotation between the first plate and the elbow.

An accessory tray assembly for attachment to a seat assembly having aframe and at least one arm rest supported by the frame, the arm resthaving an outer edge defining an outer vertical plane and an inner edgedefining an inner vertical plane. The accessory tray assembly mayinclude a tray movable between a generally vertical stored position anda generally horizontal in-use position; a swivel joint disposed betweenand operably connecting the tray and the frame, the swivel joint havingfirst and second generally planar surfaces defining an oblique anglewith respect to one another, the swivel joint pivotably attached to theframe at the first surface which defines a first plane of rotation ofthe swivel joint with respect to the frame, and the swivel jointpivotably attached to the tray at the second surface which defines asecond plane of rotation of the swivel joint with respect to the tray.The tray may be movable between the stored position and the in-useposition by rotation between the swivel joint and the frame in the firstplane of rotation and between the tray and the swivel joint in thesecond plane of rotation. In the stored position, the tray may bedisposed under an arm rest and in a space defined between an outervertical plane and an inner vertical plane. As the tray is moved betweenthe stored position and the in-use position, the accessory tray assemblymay be configured such that no part of the tray crosses the outervertical plane. As the tray moves between the in-use position and thestored position, the tray may move into the space and under the arm restwithout displacing the arm rest.

An accessory tray assembly for attachment to a seat assembly having aframe and at least one arm rest supported by the frame. The arm rest mayinclude an outer edge defining an outer vertical plane and an inner edgedefining an inner vertical plane. The accessory tray assembly mayinclude a tray movable between a generally vertical stored position anda generally horizontal in-use position, a swivel joint disposed betweenand operably connecting the tray and the frame, the swivel joint mayhave first and second generally planar surfaces defining an obliqueangle with respect to one another. The swivel joint may be pivotablyattached to the frame at the first surface which defines a first planeof rotation of the swivel joint with respect to the frame, and theswivel joint may be pivotably attached to the tray at the second surfacewhich defines a second plane of rotation of the swivel joint withrespect to the tray. The tray may be movable between the stored positionand the in-use position by rotation between the swivel joint and theframe in the first plane of rotation and between the tray and the swiveljoint in the second plane of rotation. In the stored position, the traymay be disposed under the arm rest and in a space defined between theouter vertical plane and the inner vertical plane. As the tray is movedbetween the stored position and the in-use position, the accessory trayassembly may be configured such that no part of the tray crosses theouter vertical plane. The swivel joint may include a first plate and asecond plate. During rotation about the first plane of rotation, contactbetween at least a portion of the first plate and at least a portion ofthe second plate may substantially prevent rotation about the secondplane of rotation. During rotation about the second plane of rotation,contact between at least a portion of the first plate and at least aportion of second plate may substantially prevent rotation about thefirst plane of rotation.

In the above the words “stop,” “limit” and “prevent,” when used inconjunction with movement of a component of an accessory tray assemblymay be interpreted as being in association with a force below athreshold value that would not cause breakage of an associated accessorytray assembly when a force above the threshold is applied. This“breakaway” or “threshold” force may allow for a given accessory trayassembly to be forcibly moved out of an chair occupants path in case of,for example, an emergency exit. In such a circumstance, thereby, anassociated accessory tray assembly may be relocated without causingdamage to any related components. In other words, an accessory trayassembly movement may be stopped, limited or prevented in normaloperation, however, the accessory tray assembly movement may occur byapplying a force above a force threshold.

An accessory tray and/or an associated assembly may include seatidentifiers, row identifiers, server call buttons, lights, display(s),power receptacles, power charging stations, advertisements, retainingfeatures for food service items, retaining features for customer items,associated chair controls, tray position controls, or other features toenhance the patrons experience. For example, a portion of an accessorytray assembly may be illuminated when a chair occupants food order isready to be picked-up or delivered; the illuminated portion may indicateto a food delivery person which chair to deliver to. Centrally locateditems may combine and/or collate features and functional devices. Anassociated tray may be detached and reattached to/from an associatedtray base to allow further enhancements of features such as serving astransport device, for ease of cleaning, or enablement of other features.

An accessory tray assembly may include control features that coordinatechair operation with movement of, for example, an associated tray. Forexample, a service tray may be configured to fit within a fixed tray ofan accessory tray assembly. When the service tray is placed within thefixed tray, associated controls of a powered recliner chair may becomeactive. The chair may automatically recline when a chair occupant movesthe tray toward an in-use position. The chair may automatically move toan upright position when the chair occupant moves the tray toward anout-of-use position. A tray may be coordinated with a particular chairand may be purchased by a patron at the time a movie ticket, eventticket, food, beverage, or the like is purchased.

While the drawings illustrate the item generally referred to as a lockdog, which attaches an accessory tray assembly by rotation of acomponent, alternate attachment methods may incorporate wedges or otherlocking methods. These features can be included in an accessory trayassembly without stops.

Turning to FIG. 31A, cup holder assembly 3100 a may include a cup holder3105 a attached to a portion of a chair structure 3120 a (e.g., a chairstandard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.). Thecup holder 3105 a may also include an upper stiffening lip 3111 a and acup support 3112 a having, for example, a web configuration that mayallow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3105 a. The cup holder 3105a may further include an attachment structure which may include a firstfixed portion 3106 a, a first flexible portion 3107 a, a second fixedportion 3108 a, and a second flexible portion 3109 a defining a channel3113 a.

The cup holder 3105 a may be attached to a chair structure 3120 a by,for example, first flexing the first flexible portion 3107 a away fromthe first fixed portion 3106 a and/or flexing the second flexibleportion 3109 a away from the second fixed portion 3108 a, thereby,widening the channel 3113 a. Subsequent to flexing the first flexibleportion 3107 a away from the first fixed portion 3106 a and/or flexingthe second flexible portion 3109 a away from the second fixed portion3108 a, the chair structure 3120 a may be received within the cup holderattachment structure. Subsequent to the chair structure 3120 a beingreceived within the cup holder attachment structure, a first fastener3115 a and/or a second fastener may draw the first flexible portion 3107a toward the first fixed portion 3106 a and/or drawing the secondflexible portion 3109 a toward the second fixed portion 3108 a, thereby,clamping the cup holder attachment structure onto the chair structure3120 a. The cup holder 3105 a may be removed from the chair structure3120 a by reversing the above sequence.

With reference to FIG. 31B, cup holder assembly 3100 b may include a cupholder 3105 b attached to a portion of a chair structure (not shown inFIG. 31B). The cup holder 3105 b may also include an upper stiffeninglip 3111 b and a cup support 3112 a having, for example, a webconfiguration that may allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3105b. The cup holder 3105 b may further include an attachment structurewhich may include a first fixed portion 3106 b, a first flexible portion3107 b, a second fixed portion 3108 b, and a second flexible portion3109 b defining a channel 3113 b.

Turning to FIG. 31C, cup holder assembly 3100 c may include a cup holder3105 c attached to a portion of a chair structure 3120 c (e.g., a chairstandard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.). Thecup holder 3105 c may also include an upper stiffening lip 3111 c and acup support 3112 c having, for example, a web configuration that mayallow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3105 c. The cup holder 3105c may further include an attachment structure which may include a firstfixed portion 3108 c and a first flexible portion 3109 c defining achannel 3113 c.

With reference to FIG. 31D, cup holder assembly 3100 d may include a cupholder 3105 d attached to a portion of a chair structure 3120 d (e.g., achair standard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.).The cup holder 3105 d may also include an upper stiffening lip 3111 dand a cup support 3112 d having, for example, a web configuration thatmay allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3105 d. The cup holder3105 d may further include an attachment structure which may include afirst fixed portion 3106 d and a first flexible portion 3107 d defininga channel 3113 d.

With reference to FIG. 32A, cup holder assembly 3200 a may include a cupholder 3205 a attached to a portion of a chair structure 3220 a (e.g., achair standard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.).The cup holder 3205 a may also include an upper stiffening lip 3211 aand a cup support 3212 a having, for example, a web configuration thatmay allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3205 a. The cup holder3205 a may further include an attachment structure which may include afixed portion 3206 a, and a clamp 3207 a defining a channel 3213 a.

The cup holder 3205 a may be attached to a chair structure 3220 a by,for example, first moving the clamp 3207 a away from the fixed portion3206 a, thereby, widening the channel 3213 a. Subsequent to moving theclamp 3207 a away from the fixed portion 3206 a, the chair structure3220 a may be received within the cup holder attachment structure.Subsequent to the chair structure 3220 a being received within the cupholder attachment structure, a first fastener 3215 a and/or a secondfastener 3216 a may draw the clamp 3207 a toward the fixed portion 3206a, thereby, clamping the cup holder attachment structure onto the chairstructure 3220 a. The cup holder 3205 a may be removed from the chairstructure 3220 a by reversing the above sequence.

Turning to FIG. 32B, cup holder assembly 3200 b may include a cup holder3205 b attached to a portion of a chair structure (not shown in FIG.32B). The cup holder 3205 b may also include an upper stiffening lip3211 b and a cup support 3212 a having, for example, a web configurationthat may allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3205 b. The cupholder 3205 b may further include an attachment structure which mayinclude a fixed portion 3206 b and a clamp 3207 b defining a channel3213 b.

With reference to FIG. 32C, cup holder assembly 3200 c may include a cupholder 3205 c attached to a portion of a chair structure 3220 c (e.g., achair standard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.).The cup holder 3205 c may also include an upper stiffening lip 3211 cand a cup support 3212 c having, for example, a web configuration thatmay allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3205 c. The cup holder3205 c may further include an attachment structure which may include afixed portion 3206 c and a clamp 3207 c defining a channel 3213 c.

Turning to FIG. 32D, cup holder assembly 3200 d may include a cup holder3205 d attached to a portion of a chair structure 3220 d (e.g., a chairstandard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.). Thecup holder 3205 d may also include an upper stiffening lip 3211 d and acup support 3212 d having, for example, a web configuration that mayallow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3205 d. The cup holder 3205d may further include an attachment structure which may include a fixedportion 3206 d and a clamp 3207 d defining a channel 3213 d.

With reference to FIG. 33A, cup holder assembly 3300 a may include a cupholder 3305 a attached to a portion of a chair structure 3320 a (e.g., achair standard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.).The cup holder 3305 a may also include an upper stiffening lip 3311 aand a cup support 3312 a having, for example, a web configuration thatmay allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3305 a. The cup holder3305 a may further include an attachment structure which may include afixed portion 3306 a, and a wedge 3307 a defining a channel 3313 a.

The cup holder 3305 a may be attached to a chair structure 3320 a by,for example, first moving the wedge 3307 a away from the fixed portion3306 a, thereby, widening the channel 3313 a. Subsequent to moving thewedge 3307 a away from the fixed portion 3306 a, the chair structure3320 a may be received within the cup holder attachment structure.Subsequent to the chair structure 3320 a being received within the cupholder attachment structure, a first fastener 3315 a may draw the wedge3307 a toward the fixed portion 3306 a, thereby, clamping the cup holderattachment structure onto the chair structure 3320 a. The cup holder3305 a may be removed from the chair structure 3320 a by reversing theabove sequence.

Turning to FIG. 33B, cup holder assembly 3300 b may include a cup holder3305 b attached to a portion of a chair structure (not shown in FIG.33B). The cup holder 3305 b may also include an upper stiffening lip3311 b and a cup support 3312 a having, for example, a web configurationthat may allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3305 b. The cupholder 3305 b may further include an attachment structure which mayinclude a fixed portion 3306 b and a wedge 3307 b defining a channel3313 b.

With reference to FIG. 33C, cup holder assembly 3300 c may include a cupholder 3305 c attached to a portion of a chair structure 3320 c (e.g., achair standard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.).The cup holder 3305 c may also include an upper stiffening lip 3311 cand a cup support 3312 c having, for example, a web configuration thatmay allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3305 c. The cup holder3305 c may further include an attachment structure which may include afixed portion 3306 c and a wedge 3307 c defining a channel 3313 c.

Turning to FIG. 33D, cup holder assembly 3300 d may include a cup holder3305 d attached to a portion of a chair structure 3320 d (e.g., a chairstandard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.). Thecup holder 3305 d may also include an upper stiffening lip 3311 d and acup support 3312 d having, for example, a web configuration that mayallow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3305 d. The cup holder 3305d may further include an attachment structure which may include a fixedportion 3306 d and a wedge 3307 d defining a channel 3313 d.

With reference to FIG. 34A, cup holder assembly 3400 a may include a cupholder 3405 a attached to a portion of a chair structure 3420 a (e.g., achair standard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.).The cup holder 3405 a may also include an upper stiffening lip 3411 aand a cup support 3412 a having, for example, a web configuration thatmay allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3405 a. The cup holder3405 a may further include an attachment structure which may include afixed portion 3406 a, and a clamp 3407 a defining a channel 3420 a. Thecup holder 3405 a may include a slightly flattened portion 3414 aopposite the channel 3420 a. The flattened portion 3414 a may beconfigured to align with a vertically orientated plane defined by arearward most portion of an associated chair back or front. Thereby, thecup holder 3405 a will not extend into an associated walkway behind theassociated chair.

The cup holder 3405 a may be attached to a chair structure 3420 a by,for example, first moving the clamp 3407 a away from the fixed portion3406 a, thereby, widening the channel 3413 a. Subsequent to moving theclamp 3407 a away from the fixed portion 3406 a, the chair structure3420 a may be received within the cup holder attachment structure.Subsequent to the chair structure 3420 a being received within the cupholder attachment structure, a first fastener 3415 a and/or a secondfastener 3416 a may draw the clamp 3407 a toward the fixed portion 3406a, thereby, clamping the cup holder attachment structure onto the chairstructure 3420 a. The cup holder 3405 a may be removed from the chairstructure 3420 a by reversing the above sequence.

Turning to FIG. 34B, cup holder assembly 3400 b may include a cup holder3405 b attached to a portion of a chair structure (not shown in FIG.34B). The cup holder 3405 b may also include an upper stiffening lip3411 b and a cup support 3412 a having, for example, a web configurationthat may allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3405 b. The cupholder 3405 b may further include an attachment structure which mayinclude a fixed portion 3406 b and a clamp 3407 b defining a channel3413 b. The cup holder 3405 b may include a slightly flattened portion3414 b opposite the channel 3420 b. The flattened portion 3414 b may beconfigured to align with a vertically orientated plane defined by arearward most portion of an associated chair back or front. Thereby, thecup holder 3405 b will not extend into an associated walkway behind theassociated chair.

With reference to FIG. 34C, cup holder assembly 3400 c may include a cupholder 3405 c attached to a portion of a chair structure 3420 c (e.g., achair standard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.).The cup holder 3405 c may also include an upper stiffening lip 3411 cand a cup support 3412 c having, for example, a web configuration thatmay allow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3405 c. The cup holder3405 c may further include an attachment structure which may include afixed portion 3406 c and a clamp 3407 c defining a channel 3413 c.

Turning to FIG. 34D, cup holder assembly 3400 d may include a cup holder3405 d attached to a portion of a chair structure 3420 d (e.g., a chairstandard, a chair arm, a chair back support, a chair back, etc.). Thecup holder 3405 d may also include an upper stiffening lip 3411 d and acup support 3412 d having, for example, a web configuration that mayallow liquid to drain out of the cup holder 3405 d. The cup holder 3405d may further include an attachment structure which may include a fixedportion 3406 d and a clamp 3407 d defining a channel 3413 d.

With reference to FIG. 35, a remote chair controller 3500 may include aplurality of buttons 3510 proximate a housing cover 3505. The remotechair controller 3500 may further include an antenna 3515 to provide awireless communication link 3520. The remote chair controller 3500 maybe configured to control a powered recliner chair as, for example, anyof the powered recliner chairs disclosed in commonly assigned patentapplications: Ser. 62/143,079, entitled POWERED CHAIRS FOR PUBLICVENUES, ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POWERED CHAIRS, AND COMPONENTS FOR USE INASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POWERED CHAIRS, as filed on Apr. 4, 2015; Ser.62/149,596, entitled POWERED CHAIRS FOR PUBLIC VENUES, ASSEMBLIES FORUSE IN POWERED CHAIRS, AND COMPONENTS FOR USE IN ASSEMBLIES FOR USE INPOWERED CHAIRS, as filed on Apr. 19, 2015; Ser. 62/159,791, entitledPOWERED CHAIRS FOR PUBLIC VENUES, ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POWERED CHAIRS,AND COMPONENTS FOR USE IN ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POWERED CHAIRS, as filedon May 11, 2015; Ser. 62/159,791, entitled POWERED CHAIRS FOR PUBLICVENUES, ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POWERED CHAIRS, AND COMPONENTS FOR USE INASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POWERED CHAIRS, as filed on May 11, 2015; Ser.62/175,210, entitled POWERED CHAIRS FOR PUBLIC VENUES, ASSEMBLIES FORUSE IN POWERED CHAIRS, AND COMPONENTS FOR USE IN ASSEMBLIES FOR USE INPOWERED CHAIRS, as filed on Jun. 12, 2015; and No. PCT/US16/25803,entitled POWERED CHAIRS FOR PUBLIC VENUES, ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POWEREDCHAIRS, AND COMPONENTS FOR USE IN ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN POWERED CHAIRS,as filed on Apr. 3, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein in their entireties by reference.

In particular, a remote chair controller 3500 may communicate with achair controller (e.g., controller 800 of FIG. 8 of PCT/US16/25803), alocal chair control (e.g., local control 270 of FIG. 2 ofPCT/US16/25803), a chair control module (e.g., control module 1490 e ofFIG. 14E of PCT/US16/25803) to provide control of, for example, anindividual chair (e.g., a chair 1200 a of FIG. 12A of PCT/US16/25803)and/or a group of chairs (e.g., group of chairs 1300A of FIG. 13A ofPCT/US16/25803).

As a particular example, each of the buttons 3510 may be associated witha given theater (e.g., theater 1, theater 2, etc.) within a group oftheaters. Pressing button 1 for a predetermined period of time (e.g.,three seconds, five seconds, etc.) may cause the remote chair controller3500 to transmit an initiation signal to a chair control 800 to, forexample, cause a subset of chairs (e.g., A or B) of a group of chairs1300 a within theater 1 to move to either an upright orientation, apartially reclined orientation, or a reclined orientation. Thisfunctionality may provide access to a theater maintenance person forcleaning at least a portion of an associated theater. The chair control800 may include a first timer that causes the chair control 800 to storea chair control sequence status in memory and to exit the remote controlmode after a first period of time (e.g., five minutes, ten minutes,fifteen minutes, etc.). The chair control 800 may include a second timerthat causes the chair control 800 to exit the remote control mode andclear the chair control sequence status from memory after a secondperiod of time (e.g., one-half hour, one hour, one and a half hours,etc.). Single button 300 initiation may be considered to, for example,represent an “easy” mode.

Chair control 800 may include at least one light (e.g., a light 1499 hof FIG. 14H of PCT/US16/25803) that may, for example, provide feedbackto an operator of the remote chair controller 3500 that the chaircontrol 800 has received a control signal from the remote chaircontroller. Alternatively, or additionally, a light 1499 h may indicatewhether a chair 1200 a, or a group of chairs 1300 a, has been leftwithin a control sequence (e.g., a theater cleaning mode).

A remote chair controller 3500 may include a display (e.g., a liquidcrystal display, a LED display, a vacuum fluorescent display, an OLEDdisplay, etc.) and/or may be a smart device (e.g., a tablet computer, acellular phone, etc.). Thereby, a remote chair controller 3500 may beprovided to an individual along with, for example, a ticket purchase toprovide chair control and/or information. For example, a remote chaircontroller 3500 may be configured as an information display for hearingimpaired. A remote chair controller 3500 may include a microphone, avoice recognition unit, and may display words and/or words/charactersindicative of emotions associated with a current event (e.g., a movie, aconcert, a sporting event, a play, etc.).

A chair control 800 may be configured such that a local chair control270 may override any control signal received from a remote chaircontroller 3500 (e.g., activation of a local chair control 270 may causean associated chair to recline even though a remote chair control 3500is sending, or has sent, a chair upright signal). A remote chaircontroller 3500 may be configured such that pressing a sequence ofbuttons 3510, or holding a particular button 3510 for a given timeperiod, may initiate a pre-determined event. For example, pressing asequence of buttons 3510 may initiate a semi-automatic chair response,may initiate only chairs denoted as A in FIG. 13A, may initiate onlychairs denoted as B in FIG. 13A, may initiate control of an individualchair within an associated venue, and/or may allow a user to change an“easy” mode function.

Alternatively, or additionally, a remote chair controller 3500, a localchair control 270 and/or a master venue controller (e.g., master control1305 a of FIG. 13A of PCT/US16/25803) may be coordinated to provideparticular functionality (e.g., turn on/off associated lighting, callfor assistance, indicate a chair associated with a concession order,etc.). For example, a remote chair controller 3500 and/or a local chaircontrol 270 may allow a chair occupant and/or a venue operations personto interact with other venue features (e.g., participate in currentraffles, participate in trivia games, order concessions, order ticketsto other events, call for a valet service, etc.). A remote chaircontroller 3500 and/or a local chair control 270 may be configured tosend signals to a master control 1305 a which may, in turn, transmitsignals to a chair control 800.

Turning to FIG. 36, a display 3600 may include an electrical circuitboard 3610 having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 3611 and adisplay panel 3615 having a display 3620 incorporated within a displayhousing 3605. The display panel 3615 may be glass with the display 3620etched on an associated surface of the glass. The LEDs 3611 may definean edge lighting assembly. At least a portion of the LEDs 3611 may becontrolled similar to the light 3299 a as described above.Alternatively, or additionally, at least a portion of the LEDs 3611 mayremain on at least while ambient lighting within an associated venue isdim. As illustrated in FIG. 36, a display 3600 may define a row/seatidentification tag to be installed on, for example, an end panel of achair at an end of a given row of seats. A display 3600 may be installedon an associated chair without display panel or with a blank displaypanel 3615. In either event, a display panel 3615 may be incorporatedinto the display 3600 after the chair is installed within a venue.Thereby, the display may reflect any desired information.

The display 3600 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a vacuumfluorescent (VF) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED)display, LEDs and light pipes display, and may provide a visualindicator to a venue patron. In any event, the display 3600 maycommunicate seat identity to the patron, theatre staff, etc.Alternately, or additionally, the display 3600 may communicate to thepatron and aid the patron/staff in locating their/a seat and, thus,function as an “electronic usher.” The patron may be given a device(e.g., device 3500 of FIG. 35) that may provide an indication, such aslights or vibrate when the device is adjacent to the patron's seat. Thepatron may be given a device 3500 that may provide an indication, suchas a light or in the seat such as light up the display 3600 or partiallyopen when the device 3500 is adjacent to the patron's seat. Such adevice 3500 may enable associated chair functions, as paid for by thepatron, when the device 3500 is adjacent/paired to the associated chair.Different service tiers (e.g., chair motion, hearing impairedfunctionality, chair heating/cooling, chair massage, etc.) may beprovided based on payment.

With reference to FIGS. 37A-37D, a display assembly 3700 a-d may includea cover 3705 a-d, a display 3710 a, area illumination 3716 a having afirst power connector 3717 a-d and a second power connector 3718 a-d,and a display mount 3720 b-d having fastener apertures 3721 b, 3721 d.The cover 3705 a-d may include a display aperture 3706 c, 3706 d andarea illumination apertures 3707 c, 3707 d. The area illumination 3716 amay be mounted on a printed circuit board 3715 c, 3715 d along with anarea illumination controller 3719 d. The display 3710 a may include atleast one light source 3731 c, 3731 d, a protective shield 3711 c, 3711d, and a light pipe 3712 c, 3712 d proximate a retainer 3735 c, 3735 dhaving light pipe/protective shield alignment features 3736 d. The lightsource 3731 c, 3713 d may be mounted on a printed circuit board 3730 c,3730 d along with an area illumination controller 3740 d and having afirst power connector 3732 d and a second power connector 3733 d.

The retainer 3735 c, 3735 d may include mounting feet 3738 c, 3738 d andangled standoffs 3737 c, 3737 d configured to maintain the light pipe3712 c, 3712 d at an angle with respect to the display mount 3720 b-d asillustrated in FIG. 37C. The display mount 3720 b-d may include firstretention features 3723 c, 3723 d, 3724 c, 3724 d configured to retainthe printed circuit board 3715 c, 3715 d proximate the display mount3720 b-d. The display mount 3720 b-d may include second retentionfeatures 3725 c, 3725 d, 3726 c, 3726 d, 3727 c, 3727 d configured toretain the printed circuit board 3730 c, 3730 d proximate the displaymount 3720 b-d. The display mount 3720 b-d may include third retentionfeatures 3728 c, 3728 d configured to retain the cover 3705 a-dproximate the display mount 3720 b-d.

A display assembly 3700 a-d may include a means to mount a display to achair 3720 b-d, 3721 b-d. A display assembly 3700 a-d may include ameans to facilitate field configuring customer selected options on achair 3713 d. A display assembly 3700 a-d may include a means toseparate chair components to optimize manufacturing and installationefficiencies.

While display device may utilize a display information connector such aswire harness, a display may include a means of transmitting energy andor information to the display wirelessly. While a display assembly 3700a-d may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) 3731 c, 3731 d illuminatinga light pipe 3712 c, 3712 d, a display assembly 3700 a-d may include anytechnology for communication of light through a display (e.g., a backlitliquid crystal display, a segmented LED display, etc.).

A display assembly 3700 a-d may include a base assembly which may beassembled at a factory and assembled to an associated chair which maycontain some or all of the following components: LEDs for illuminating alight pipe, LEDs for area illumination, a base to hold components, abase which may contain features to manage wire routing, aid assembly andreduce unwanted forces applied to components, a base with features toattach base to chair, a base with features to locate the base to anassociated chair, a base with features that manage light for intendedfunction and reduce light travel to unwanted areas, a base with featuresto align and connect to mating components, and/or a base without a lightsource but with contacts for transmitting energy and data to matingcomponents for display purpose.

A display assembly 3700 a-d may include a display head which may beassembled and ship separately from an associated chair. A displayassembly 3700 a-d may include a may contain features or components tocollect information or energy from a base unit for display. A displayassembly 3700 a-d may include a may contain features or components tocollect light from a base unit for display. A display assembly 3700 a-dmay include a may contain a light source or display which communicatesto an associated chair for display. A display assembly 3700 a-d mayinclude a may contain a light pipe which may be customized for specificchair applications and may be assembled to a corresponding chair at achair manufacturing facility. A display assembly 3700 a-d may include amay contain means to display information and or illuminate adjacentareas. A display assembly 3700 a-d may include a may contain means toilluminate adjacent areas and or display information. A display assembly3700 a-d may include a functions that may be controlled jointly orindependently. A display assembly 3700 a-d may include a light pipes orretaining components which contain features to aid assembly and properorientation. A display assembly 3700 a-d may contain features to enhanceto propagation of light to a desired area proximate an associated chair.A display assembly 3700 a-d may contain multiple information displayindictors or technologies to aid in the communication of information. Adisplay assembly 3700 a-d may contain features to direct light toimprove illumination of adjacent areas proximate an associated chair. Adisplay assembly 3700 a-d may contain components to protect a light pipeor display devise from hazards of an associated chair environment (e.g.,liquids, dirt, etc.). A display assembly 3700 a-d may be unitized byfasteners, snaps, or other features to aid shipping portions of thedisplay assembly 3700 a-d separately. A display assembly 3700 a-d maycontain features to aid assembly to a base unit. A display assembly 3700a-d may contain at least one feature which allows addition of a lightpipe during field installation (e.g., a hinged cover that would allow alight pipe to be inserted and then snapped closed). A display assembly3700 a-d may have display or lighting components angled to aid function.

Alternately, or additionally, a display assembly 3700 a-d may beunitized such that portions of the display assembly 3700 a-d may beshipped separately from an associated chair for assembly to the chairand data/power connection. In such a configuration, the display assemblymay be connected to an information harness and may be attached to anassociated chair via many possible methods including snapping into holesor other features on the chair. Feature(s) may be included on anassociated chair which may or may not be concealed by upholstery whichwill may allow a display assembly 3700 a-d to be added to the chair. Forexample, there may be a hole in an arm of the chair which may be coveredby upholstery. When a customer pays for a display option, a chairinstaller may, for example, penetrate the upholstery gaining access to adisplay data/power stream, thereby, allowing for quick customization ofthe chair. Alternately, or additionally, a chair may include wirelesspower and data transmission, thus, the display may only need to bephysically mounted to the chair.

A display assembly 3700 a-d may reduce factory customization of chairs.A display assembly 3700 a-d may integrate with any of the chairsdisclosed within the above referenced patent application, and mayinclude a low voltage power supply, wire routing, and/or device control.A display assembly 3700 a-d may simplify display wiring and routing. Adisplay assembly 3700 a-d may allow improved information communicationand display. A display assembly 3700 a-d may allow configuration ofdisplays at an associated chair.

A display assembly 3700 a-d may include illumination of multiple lightsources that may be controlled independently. For example, any givenlight source may be automatically controlled (e.g., dimmed, brightened,turned on, turned off, etc.) based on a venue event, a predeterminedtime, a motion sensor, etc. A display assembly 3700 a-d may includeother displays (e.g., chair is “sold”, chair is not working, etc.). Adisplay assembly 3700 a-d may include a base that ships separately to anassociated chair installation job site. A display assembly 3700 a-d mayinclude a display unit that ships separately to an associated chairinstallation job site, and may be customized for a particularapplication. A display assembly 3700 a-d may allow for many displayoptions including having a unit in which a light pipe may be inserted.

Turning to FIGS. 38A and 38B, a pivotally stowaway tray assembly withaccessory compartment 3800 a, 3800 b may include a tray 1 a, 1 b havingan accessory compartment 2 a, 2 b (e.g., a cup holder, a pencil holder,a cellular telephone holder/charger, etc.). The object of the inventionrelates to an arrangement of a tablet hinge system incorporated inarmchairs, establishing an assembly which allows folding tablet 1,corresponding to the furled position under the armrest 2 of the assemblyof the armchair 3 in application, by simply pushing the tablet 1forwards, from the position for use, to be perfectly gathered in thefurled position. According to the invention, the arrangement of tablet 1in the armrest 2 of the armchair 3 in application is established bymeans of an assembly support 4, which is included fixed with respect tothe armrest 2 a rotating hollow shaft 5 being incorporated axially withrespect to said support 4. The shaft 5 has in its front end a head 6,with respect to which the tablet 1 is articulated by means of acam-shaped element 7 projecting in an area of a corner of the same. Thesupport 4 has in its rear part an angular notch 8, while the shaft 5incorporates in its rear end a perpendicular bolt 9 acting with respectto the mentioned notch 8 of the support 4, determining two stoppositions limiting the rotation of the shaft 5 between two definedangular positions. Inside shaft 5, there is a rod 10 included with axialfreedom which is pushed by a spring 11 to project through the head 6, sothat in the assembly arrangement said rod 10 rests with pressure on theperiphery of the cam 7 of the tablet 1. A roller 12 is incorporated inthe end of the rod 10 by means of which said rod 10 provides a rotationsupport on the periphery of the cam 7. In an end area of its contour,the cam 7 defines a notch 13 in which it is capable to fit the end ofthe rod 10 provided with the roller 12, such that when said fitting isestablished, a provisional blocking of the rotation of the tablet 1 isdetermined between the cam 7 and the shaft 5 with respect to the shaft5. With all of the foregoing and starting from a folded position of thetablet 1 in the armchair 3, as shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B, to take thetablet 1 to the position for use, the tablet 1 has to be raised to avertical position by rotating it with respect to the articulatedassembly on the head 6 of shaft 5 and then folding it to the horizontalposition for use. However, to take the tablet 1 to the folding positionform the position for use, it is only necessary to push the tablet 1forwards such that when a certain position is reached, the tablet 1itself makes the shaft 5 rotate with respect to the support 4, so thatthe tablet 1 is in a position in which it falls into the folded positionby its own weight. When the furled position included under thecorresponding armrest 2 is reached, the tablet 1 is retained in thisposition by means of a provisional blocking, due to the fitting of theend of the rod 10 into the notch 13 of the cam 7, preventing a reboundby which the tablet 1 may be improperly projected towards the front ofthe armchair 3 in a wrong folding and entailing an obstacle in the spacein front of the armchair 3. When the tablet 1 is taken forwards, therotation of shaft 5 occurs by the weight of tablet 1 due to its shape,but with the purpose of increasing the efficiency and the rapidity ofsaid rotation and with respect to the shaft 5, a torsion spring 14 isalso incorporated in an arrangement tending to make said shaft 5 rotatein the direction which takes tablet 1 to the position which falls intothe folded position. It should be understood that the accessorycompartment 2 a, 2 b, may be attached to an associated armrest such thatthe accessory compartment 2 a, 2 b does not pivot when the tray 1 a, 1 bis pivoted.

With reference to FIG. 39, a pivotally stowaway tray assembly withaccessory compartment 3900 may include a tray 1 having an accessorycompartment 2 (e.g., a cup holder, a pencil holder, a cellular telephoneholder/charger, etc.). Armrest 18 (with adjustment mechanism 22 andtablet 20) is mounted at the upper end of one of the support legs 24,such as, for example, at the right support leg for supporting a tabletfor a right-handed person to use while sitting in the seat or at theleft support leg for supporting a tablet for a left-handed person to usewhile sitting in the seat. Another armrest (not shown) may be mounted atthe other support leg and the other armrest would not necessarilyinclude the adjustment mechanism and tablet or may include an adjustmentmechanism and tablet for the seat adjacent to the first seat. Thearmrest 18 with the adjustment mechanism and tablet thus may be mountedat either or both support legs, depending on the particular applicationof the seat assembly. For example, each support leg may have an armrestand adjustment mechanism and tablet mounted thereto, with each supportleg being a left leg for one seat and a right leg for an adjacent seat,such as for a plurality of seats arranged in a row at a seatingfacility. The adjustment mechanisms and tablets may be configured to beright hand tablets (with the tablet for a particular seat mounted to theright support leg of that seat) or left hand tablets (with the tabletfor a particular seat mounted to the left support leg of that seat),depending on the particular application of the seat assemblies. In theillustrated embodiment, armrest 18 includes mounting post 18 a thatengages or is received in tube member 24 c of support leg 24, and thatmay be secured to the tube member 24 c, such as via one or moreretaining elements 24 e, such as a screw or pin or the like. As shown,armrest 18 includes a generally horizontal support or tube member 18 bthat is attached to mounting post 18 a. Tube member 18 b and mountingpost 18 a are received or contained at least partially within a housingor armrest casing 28, which may include an upper casing 28 a, a lowercasing 28 b and a rear casing portion 28 c, and which may include apadded armrest portion 28 d at an upper surface thereof. Rear casingportion 28 c may be formed to receive a portion of mounting post 18 aand may provide a non-circular portion of the mounting post that isreceived in a non-circular tube member 24 c to non-pivotally mountarmrest 18 to support leg 24, Support or tube member 18 b extendsgenerally horizontally to an open end portion of the casing 28, and isconfigured to receive or attach to adjustment mechanism 22 to adjustablymount tablet 20 at the forward or outer end of the armrest 18.Adjustment mechanism 22 is adjustable to pivotally mount tablet 20 atthe outer end of the armrest. The adjustment mechanism is configured toallow for pivotal movement of tablet 20 about a generally horizontalpivot axis that is generally normal to the longitudinal axis of thearmrest and support tube to facilitate movement between the lowered orstowed or non-use position beneath armrest 18 and the raised position.The adjustment mechanism is also configured to allow for pivotalmovement of tablet about a pivot axis that extends generallylongitudinally along support or tube member 18 b to facilitate pivotingof the tablet to its generally horizontal in-use position. Further, theadjustment mechanism is also configured to limit pivotal movement of thetablet about the longitudinal pivot axis when the tablet is in itslowered or stored position and until the tablet is raised or pivotedupward a threshold amount. The adjustment mechanism is also configuredto allow pivotal movement of the tablet about a generally vertical pivotaxis when the tablet is in its generally horizontal in-use position tofacilitate adjustment of the tablet relative to the person using thetablet at the seat assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, adjustmentmechanism 22 includes a pivot housing or pivot element 30 that includesa pivot shaft portion 30 a that is received in support tube 18 b and atablet mounting portion 30 b that pivotally mounts a swing arm ormounting arm 32 (which is attached or affixed to tablet 20, such as viaa plurality of fasteners or the like). Shaft portion 30 a has atransverse slot 30 c formed therethrough that extends transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the shaft portion 30 a. Pivot element 30 receives aplunger 34 therein that is longitudinally movable along pivot element 30in response to pivotal movement of swing arm 32 about tablet mountingportion 30 b of pivot 30, as discussed below. When pivot shaft portion30 a is received within support tube 18 b, a pin or stop element 36 isinserted at least partially through support tube 18 b (such as through ahole or set of holes 18 c or 18 d of support tube 18 b) and through slot30 c of pivot shaft portion 30 a and at least partially through plunger34 to allow for controlled pivotal and longitudinal movement of plunger34 and pivot element 30 relative to support tube 18 b to control theadjustment or movement of swing arm 32 and tablet 20 relative to armrest18, as also discussed below. Swing arm 32 includes a tablet mountingportion 32 a that is configured to attach to tablet 20, such as via aplurality of screws, and a pivot mounting portion 32 b that isconfigured to pivotally mount to tablet mounting portion 30 b of pivotelement 30. In the illustrated embodiment, pivot mounting portion 32 bof swing arm 32 is pivotally mounted to mounting portion 30 b of pivotelement 30 via a pivot pin or axle 38. Pivot mounting portion 32 bincludes a hole or aperture 32 c therethrough for receiving pivot axle38 and includes an arcuate or variable radius slot 32 d at leastpartially around hole 32 c and along a perimeter region of pivotmounting portion 32 b. The arcuate slot 32 d has different radii fromthe pivot hole 32 c that vary from a smaller radius portion 32 e to alarger radius portion 32 f. The pivot mounting portion 32 b has agenerally arcuate or curved perimeter region 32 g and includes agenerally flat or non-curved stop surface 32 h (generally at or near thesmaller radius portion 32 e) for engaging plunger 34 to longitudinallymove or adjust plunger 34 along pivot shaft 30 a, as discussed below.Plunger 34 is configured to be movably received within pivot shaft 30 aand includes a slot or receiving portion 34 a for receiving theperimeter region of pivot mounting portion 32 b of swing arm 32. A pinor guide element 40 is inserted or received at least partially throughplunger 34 and at least partially through or in arcuate slot 32 d. Guidepin 40 functions to move along arcuate slot 32 d as swing arm 32 ispivoted and to impart a longitudinal movement of plunger 34 in responseto the pivotal movement of swing arm 32 about pivot axle 38 via thetracking of the guide pin 40 along the variable radius arcuate slot 32 dof pivot mounting portion 32 b of swing arm 32, as discussed below. Inthe illustrated embodiment, guide pin 40 is non-rotatable orrotationally fixed relative to plunger 34 so as to slidably track alongarcuate slot 32 d in a non-rotational or non-rolling manner. Forexample, guide pin 40 may be press-fit through apertures in the plungeror may be non-circular or keyed or otherwise formed so as to be receivedin a correspondingly formed non-circular aperture in the plunger tomaintain the guide pin in a non-rotational state relative to theplunger. However, it is envisioned that guide pin 40 could be rotatablymounted to the plunger so as to rotate or roll as it tracks along thearcuate slot. Plunger 34 also includes a slot 34 b through the body ofplunger 34 for at least partially receiving pin or stop element 36 thatis received at least partially through support tube 18 b and throughtransverse slot 30 c of pivot shaft portion 30 a. Slot 34 b of plunger34 includes a longitudinal slot portion 34 c (which extendslongitudinally along plunger 34) and a transverse slot portion 34 d(which extends normal to longitudinal slot portion 34 c). In theillustrated embodiment, pivot element 30 and plunger 34 are shown astwo-piece constructions, with the two halves or portions of eachcomponent being snapped and/or fastened or otherwise joined or connectedtogether to form the pivot element and plunger components. However, itis envisioned that the pivot element and/or plunger may comprise unitaryconstructions or other constructions or forms, while remaining withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention. In the illustratedembodiment, the curved perimeter region 32 g of swing arm 32 provides acurved outer surface that generally corresponds to a curved or partialspherical-shaped outer surface of tablet mounting portion 30 b of pivotelement 30, thus providing an enhanced appearance to the adjustmentmechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, tablet mounting portion 30 b,at its end toward shaft portion 30 a, is generally rectangular orsquare-shaped and corresponds to the generally rectangular orsquare-shaped end of upper armrest housing 28 a when the pivot elementis oriented with pivot axle 38 in a generally horizontal orientation(where the tablet may be in its stored position) or a generally verticalorientation (where the tablet may be in its use position). Thus, theadjustment mechanism provides generally flush or continuous outersurfaces at the end of the armrest when the tablet is stored or in useto provide an enhanced appearance to the seat assembly. It should beunderstood that the accessory compartment 2, may be attached to anassociated armrest such that the accessory compartment 2 does not pivotwhen the tray 1 is pivoted.

Turning to FIGS. 40A and 40B, a pivotally stowaway tray assembly withaccessory compartment 4000 a, 4000 b may include a tray 1 a, 1 b havingan accessory compartment 2 a, 2 b (e.g., a cup holder, a pencil holder,a cellular telephone holder/charger, etc.). A fitting or the like forpivotally attaching a tray assembly to chairs may be substantiallyhorizontally and laterally arranged on the chair. An axis of rotationfrom its horizontal working position in front of the seat surface of thechair in a vertical, the space in front of the seat surface releasingposition may be folded up and about a pivot axis in a vertical gap spacelaterally adjacent to the seat surface. The pivot mechanism may allow aseat user to pop up the tray assembly by hand in a vertical position andthen laterally sunk into a gap next to the chair or on an associated rowof seats. The sinking may include known fittings so that only onemovement of the worktop by hand is necessary with assistance of a springto from its vertical. An associated pivot mechanism may include an outertube 8, an inner tube 9, a bearing in the inner tube plunger 10 andarranged in the inner tube. A bearing disc 13 may accommodate a tray 1a, 1 b placed near a peripheral edge. The bearing disc 13 may serve as acontrol curve 15 and may cooperate with a spring-loaded pressure piston10. The plunger 10 may be transverse to the piston axis extendingpressure pin 16 which may include a base member extending in an axialdirection of the inner tube slot 17. A head of the pressure pin 16 mayengage a recess 18 of the outer tube 8 to secure the tray 1 a, 1 b in adesired orientation. A rear end of the compression spring 11 may besupported on an end cap 19 of the outer tube 8. It should be understoodthat the accessory compartment 2 a, 2 b, may be attached to anassociated armrest such that the accessory compartment 2 a, 2 b does notpivot when the tray 1 a, 1 b is pivoted.

With referenced to FIGS. 41A-D, a powered recliner chair assembly 4100a-d may include a central chair frame 4105 a-d, a chair seat boxstructure 4110 a-d, a first arm box 4115 a-d, a second arm box 4120 a-d,a power junction box 4125 a-d, a power inlet connection 4130 a-d, apower outlet connection 4135 a-d, and at least one actuator connector4140 a-d. As described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 42A-D, thechair seat box structure 4110 a-d may be movable, or removable, tofacilitate access underneath the associated assembly 4100 a-d. Each armbox 4115 a-d, 4120 a-d may include arm box quick attachment features4116 a, 4121 a-d, respectively, configured to cooperate with chairrecliner mechanism structure quick attachment features 4106 a-d, 4107a-d, respectively, to facilitate installation, removal, and/orreplacement of an associated arm box 4115 a-d, 4120 a-d. For example, apair of central chair frames 4105 a-d may be secured in place within anassociated venue spaced apart from one another such that an arm box 4115a-d, 4120 a-d may be slid downward between the pair of central chairframes 4105 a-d and secured in place via the respective arm box quickattachment features 4116 a, 4121 a-d and the chair recliner mechanismstructure quick attachment features 4106 a-d, 4107 a-d.

A chair recliner mechanism structure 4105 a-d and/or an arm box 4115a-d, 4120 a-d may include power cord rack features that receive a powerinlet connection 4130 a-d or a power outlet connection 4135 a-d from abackside or a respective chair and retain the power inlet connection4130 a-d and/or the power outlet connection 4135 a-d up off anassociated floor surface. The power cord rack features may be, forexample, hook shape features that allow installation of the power inletconnection 4130 a-d and/or the power outlet connection 4135 a-d, and/orthe arm boxes 4115 a-d, 4120 a-d without unplugging the power inletconnection 4130 a-d and/or the power outlet connection 4135 a-d from anassociated power junction box 4125 a-d. In fact, a series of power inletconnections 4130 a-d and/or power outlet connections 4135 a-d may beplugged into respective power junction boxes 4125 a-d while laying, forexample, on a floor behind a row of associated chairs, and subsequentlythe series of power inlet connections 4130 a-d and/or power outletconnections 4135 a-d, along with respective power junction boxes 4125a-d, may be set in place with the associated chair recliner mechanismstructures 4105 a-d and/or arm boxes 4115 a-d, 4120 a-d set in place.

A powered recliner chair may include a power supply having a battery anda battery charger. The battery charger may be configured toautomatically charge the battery during periods of time in which anassociated electric actuator motor is not in operation. Thereby, thepower supply and battery may be configured to provide a constant voltageto the electric actuator motor during times when, for example, severalactuators, that are connected to the given power supply, are activated.The power supply may also include a constant voltage transformer thatoutputs a constant voltage regardless of current draw from electricactuator motor(s). The transformer may, for example, adjustautomatically to maintain a generally constant DC voltage output to theelectric actuator motor. In lieu of, or in addition to, a battery withina power supply, a battery charger and/or a battery may be providedwithin any given actuator. Any given chair assembly may be configuredsuch that, for example, when an associated venue experiences an electricpower outage, the chair assembly may be reoriented to an uprightorientation, via electric power from a battery. Once the chair assemblyis reoriented to an upright orientation, an associated chair control maydisable operation of the chair assembly until the venue electric poweris restored.

Turning to FIGS. 42A-D, a removable/movable chair seat frame 4200 a-dmay include a tubular frame 4201 d, a chair seat frame location feature4202 d, a first cross brace 4203 d and a second cross brace 4204 d. Incooperation with the removable/movable chair seat frame 4200 a-d, achair seat box structure (e.g., chair seat box structure 4110 a-d ofFIGS. 41A-D) may interlock into an associated recliner chair in afashion to allow the seat box to be restrained when occupied and to bemoved into a position to aid cleaning. For example, bracket(s) maycooperate with member(s) of a recliner mechanism or items connected tothe recliner mechanism to restrict undesirable seat movement and noisewhen the recliner is occupied, but allow for easy movement of the chairseat when the associated chair is unoccupied. Alternatively, a chairseat may be attach to an associated chair via a pillow top or otherflexible member (e.g., a hinge mechanism). In addition to, or in lieuof, a powered recliner chair, or group of powered recliner chairs, beingreoriented from an upright orientation to a reclined orientation asdescribed herein and within the patents and patent applications that areincorporated by reference herein, a chair seat box structure may includean actuator that is configured to move the chair seat in response to auser activating, for example, a remote and/or local control button.Thereby, venue personnel may access under respective chairs for cleaningand/or servicing.

A removable/movable chair seat frame 4200 a-d may be, for example,hinged along a front side and an actuator may be provided to pivot theremovable/movable chair seat frame 4200 a-d upward to assist a chairoccupant to stand up and exit the chair. An associated removable/movablechair seat frame 4200 a-d control (e.g., a first set of usercontrols/displays 4410 a, b, a second set of user controls/displays 4415a,b and/or a third set of user controls/displays 4420 b) may be providedin, for example, an arm box.

With reference to FIGS. 43A and 43B, an arm box assembly 4300 a, b mayinclude an arm box 4305 a, b, a first user interface/display 4310 a, b,and a second user interface/display 4315 a, b. The first userinterface/display 4310 a, b and/or the second user interface/display4315 a, b may include a plurality of light sources configured toilluminate respective display features. Any given light source may bemanually or automatically controlled. For example, any given lightsource may be automatically controlled (e.g., dimmed, brightened, turnedon, turned off, etc.) based on a venue event, a predetermined time, amotion sensor, etc. Any given second user interface/display 4315 a mayinclude an aperture to, for example, receive or allow access to anassociated cup holder. Any given user interface may include manualcontrols for the light sources, chair recline/upright controls, a chairheater control, a chair massage control, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 43A and 43B, the first user interface/display4310 a, b may be angled toward a front of an associated venue and awayfrom view of occupants of chairs such that, for example, a chair and/orrow number may be illuminated and visible to individuals walking, yetwithout being visible to individuals that are seated. An area light, orlights, 4316 b may be incorporated within a second userinterface/display 4315 b to, for example, provide row and/or aisleillumination similar to light sources 3716 c of FIG. 37C. In any event,any given light, or lights, 4316 b may be manually or automaticallycontrolled. For example, any given light source may be automaticallycontrolled (e.g., dimmed, brightened, turned on, turned off, etc.) basedon a venue event, a predetermined time, a motion sensor, etc.

Turning to FIGS. 44A and 44B, a user interface 4400 a,b may include atop surface 4405 a, b, a first set of user controls/displays 4410 a, b,a second set of user controls/displays 4415 a,b and/or a third set ofuser controls/displays 4420 b. While not shown in FIG. 44A or 44B, anygiven user interface 4400 a, b may include a fourth set of usercontrols/displays on a second side and/or a fifth set of usercontrols/displays on a top side. The user interface 4400 a,b may besimilar to, for example, the first user interface/display 4315 a,b ofFIGS. 43A and 43B. The user interface 4400 a,b may include a pluralityof light sources configured to illuminate respective display features.Any given light source may be manually or automatically controlled. Forexample, any given light source may be automatically controlled (e.g.,dimmed, brightened, turned on, turned off, etc.) based on a venue event,a predetermined time, a motion sensor, etc. Any given user interface4400 a,b may include an aperture 4406 a,b to, for example, receive orfacilitate addition of a tray (e.g., any tray of FIG. 20-23) or to allowaccess to an associated cup holder. Any given user interface may includemanual controls for the light sources, chair recline/upright controls, achair heater control, a chair massage control, etc.

An area light, or lights, 4416 a,b may be incorporated within a userinterface 4400 a,b to, for example, provide row and/or aisleillumination similar to light sources 3716 c of FIG. 37C and 4316 b ofFIG. 43B. In any event, any given light, or lights, 4416 a, b may bemanually or automatically controlled. For example, any given lightsource may be automatically controlled (e.g., dimmed, brightened, turnedon, turned off, etc.) based on a venue event, a predetermined time, amotion sensor, etc.

Any given user interface 4400 a, b may include an ambient light sensorto, for example, automatically control light output of an associatedlight source and/or display. For example, during pre-show or non-movietimes, venue lights may be on such that a seat number may automaticallyincrease intensity. Alternatively, light control may be programmed thruan associated venue control network. In any event, a seat number may bebright when needed and dim when it gets dark during, for example, ashow. Alternatively, or additionally, bright seat lights may be setduring, for example, a bright section of the show. Any given userinterface 4400 a, b may incorporate a sensor to detect if an associatedchair is occupied. Any given user interface 4400 a, b may incorporateadditional controls such as vibration, massage, call for food,emergency/assistance call, etc. Any given user interface 4400 a, b mayincorporate chair extend retract controls on each side for a pair ofadjacent chairs. For end of row chairs, a row side may include aislelights, a row number/letter, a seat number, an ADA designation 4414 a,an indicator when associated chairs are in a venue cleaning mode 4413 a,a call light indicator for a patron/chair needing service 4412 a in thatrow, etc. Any given user interface 4400 a, b may be mounted flush withsides of an associated arm box/flip up arm as illustrated in FIG. 43B,and may extend wider than the arm box/flip up arm so that features suchas down lighting or aisle lights 4316 b may be incorporated. Any givenuser interface 4400 a, b may include some or all of smart chair controlfeatures, such as smart power, venue cleaning, power modules, etc. Anygiven user interface 4400 a, b may facilitate modularization of anassociated recliner chair by enhancing standalone nature of the RMSs,arm boxes, chair seats, chair ottomans, chair backs, and/or headrests.Any given user interface 4400 a, b may incorporate power supplies orpower regulators for independent items such as aisle lights, taskslights, cup holders, snack trays, call buttons, and/or features toenhance patron experience or venue operation. Any given user interface4400 a, b may incorporate an optical beam paired with beam/receivermodule. The beam could originate in one chair and go across the seatwidth. An occupant in the chair may break the beam indicating anoccupant present. The beam/receiver modules are available in many typesfor example a garage door opener safety close switch.

Any given user interface 4400 a, b may include a clock or sleep timer(s)configured to automatically dim or shut off associated lightsources/displays during times when an associated venue is not inoperation. This can take a number of forms: turn off/dim a lightsource/display if an associated chair is not used for more than apredetermined time (e.g., an hour, 3-hours, etc.). Any given userinterface 4400 a, b may incorporate multiple timers and actions.Automatic control may incorporate patterns, for example, turn off everyother row or chair. Alternatively, the pattern can alternate, rotate,vary, during normal times, for example, every other chair user interface4400 a,b may dim for 5 minutes. A row number may be automatically turnedon and an associated seat number turned off on alternating chairs. Whichchair is “on” and “off” may be changed in some pattern such as by day,venue cleaning cycle (System can toggle at venue cleaning activation),etc. Any given user interface 4400 a, b may incorporate a global clocktimer that sets on/off times.

Any given user interface 4400 a, b may incorporate a wake up code in thecontrol system to turn on/off displays until a next button push. Anygiven user interface 4400 a, b may allow any chair in a particular venueto detect a button push on any other chair and react/wake up. Any givenuser interface 4400 a, b may incorporate, for example, a wifi module tosync an internet time, a battery, a processor, a memory, and/or aprogramming port 4411 a (e.g., a USB port, an RS-232 port, a RS-422port, etc.), an audio port. Thereby, any given user interface 4400 a, bmay be configured to provide all chair control and/or user functionsdescribed herein. When a user interface includes a battery, the userinterface may not require any external electrical connections tofacilitate chair control and/or user functionality (i.e., user interfacepower may be provided via the battery and control data may betransmitted/received wireless).

Any given user interface 4400 a, b may include a power connection (e.g.,a direct current (DC) connection and/or an alternating currentconnection) and/or a data connection (e.g., wired and/or wireless dataconnection). The power connection and/or the data connection may includeany suitable plug/receptacle to facilitate user interface installation,removal and/or replacement.

Any given user interface 4400 a, b may include a chair position sensorthat is configured to sense an angle at which an associated chair isreclined. Thereby, the user interface 4400 a, b may be programmed tolimit an angle at which the given chair may be reclined. Thus, a chairthat is installed adjacent a wall or a handicap accessible area, forexample, may be programmed to recline less than other chairs in otherareas of a respective venue.

Any given user interface 4400 a, b may include switches, controls anddisplays. For example, a recliner control switch may be incorporatedwith remote venue cleaning control circuitry into a single circuitboard. The combined control may be located in an arm box and/or in aremote control positioned at, for example, a rear of an associatedchair. Locating the controls in an arm box may provide improved controlsignal reception, may allow customization to an arm box and may makeassociated recliner structure less custom. This may reduce overallcomplexity and may speed installation. Furthermore, locating controls inan arm box may combine chair number, display, chair status such assold/available, etc., may include a USB port or other input feature(wired or wireless) to, for example, program a chair assembly. Forexample, programing may include venue cleaning chair programing, smartpower programing, setting display parameters such as chair number, rowletter, a chair network ID such as IP address etc. Moreover, locatingcontrols in an arm box may combine an AC to DC motor power supply withthese items to reduce cost, components, and/or complexity.

Any given user interface 4400 a, b may be configured to monitor and/orcontrol recline/retraction functions of an associated chair orassociated chairs. For example, a user interface 4400 a, b may beprogrammed to monitor a number of electrical pulses applied to anassociated actuator and/or to monitor an amount of time the associatedactuator is activated. Thereby, the user interface 4400 a, b may beconfigured to limit chair movement. For example, a given chair may beconfigured to be installed in a venue with a row spacing particular rowspacing, and a chair foot rest (or ottoman) movement may be limited toensure a row egress that meets an associated fire code (e.g., twelveinches for chair installations in the United States, fourteen inches forchair installations in Canada, etc.). Alternatively, or additionally, aposition sensor (e.g., a haul effect sensor, a limit sensor, a linearrheostat, a rotary rheostat, etc.) may be connected to a user interfaceinput to provide a chair position feedback signal. In any event, a userinterface 4400 a, b (and/or chair control) may be configured tomonitor/control a chair orientation. Similarly, chairs installed in aback row of a venue may include a chair back/head rest that does notrecline as far back as a chair back/head rest of a chair installed in afront row of the venue. An associated ottoman, on the other hand, mayextend the same for the chair in the back row and the chair in the frontrow. Thereby, a head of a chair occupant in the back row will remainmore upright when the associated chair back/head rest is reclined whencompared to a head of a chair occupant in a chair located in the frontrow.

A number of electrical pulses applied to an actuator may be proportionalto an associated actuator drive current. Alternatively, or additionally,a width of pulses applied to an actuator may be proportional to anassociated actuator drive current. A user interface 4400 a, b (or othercontrol) may control an actuator based on a number of electrical pulsesand/or a width of electrical pulses applied to an actuator drive motor.A user interface 4400 a, b (or other control) may control an actuatorbased on a frequency of electrical pulses applied to an actuator drivemotor. An actuator may be either a linear actuator or a rotary actuator.While an actuator/control as disclosed herein may be incorporated withina powered recliner chair, a similar actuator/control may be incorporatedin any application (e.g., two-dimensional laser cutters, two-dimensionalplasma cutters, two-dimensional water jet cutters, multi-axis machiningsystems, multi-axis robots, etc.).

A user interface 4400 a, b may include a touch screen display having aplurality of control button icons, with each control button icon beingconfigured to result in a respective chair being oriented to apredetermined orientation when the respective control button icon isselected by a user. For example, a user may momentarily touch aparticular control button icon and the respective chair will orient to afully reclined orientation. Activation of a second control button iconmay result in the associated chair being oriented to a fully uprightorientation. Activation of a third control button icon may result in theassociated chair being oriented to an orientation in between fullyreclined and fully upright. Activation of a forth control button icon,and/or activation of a venue cleaning function, may cause a plurality ofchairs in a given venue to reorient to an orientation that causes, forexample, associated foot rests (or ottomans) and/or chair backs toextend into a row space otherwise required when the associated venue isoccupied (i.e., when the venue is vacant, the chairs may be reclinedfurther than when the venue is occupied). Thereby, the chairs maysimultaneously meet respective fire codes and facilitate venue cleaning.

By providing chair orientation monitoring and/or feedback, an associateduser interface (and/or chair control) may be programmed to orient achair relative to differing venue floor angles. Alternatively, oradditionally, chair orientation data may be acquired and stored to, forexample, enable venue designers to analyze preferred chair orientations.Chair orientation data may be used for design of venue chair layouts. Incircumstances where a user interface is programmed to monitor chairorientation via application of electric power to an actuator, the userinterface may detect variations in electric power (e.g., a spike when anottoman begins to move, a spike when a chair is fully reclined, a spikewhen a chair is fully upright, etc.) to, for example, set (or validate)a “known” (or current) orientation. Subsequently, the user interface (orchair control) may approximate chair orientation based on actuatoractivation time and/or power pulses.

Additionally, or alternatively, by providing chair orientationmonitoring and/or feedback, an associated user interface (and/or chaircontrol) may be programmed to orient a group of chairs within a venueduring emergency situations. For example, a user interface (and/or chaircontrol) may automatically reorient chairs close to aisles before chairsin a center of a row when a fire alarm is activated. As another example,chairs may be automatically reoriented to a predetermined orientationbetween a fully upright orientation and a fully reclined orientation inresponse to an emergency notification.

With reference to FIGS. 44C and 44D, a user interface 4400 c, d mayinclude a top surface 4405 c, d, a first set of user controls/displays4410 c, d, a second set of user controls/displays 4415 c, d and/or athird set of user controls/displays 4420 c. While not shown in FIG. 44Cor 44D, any given user interface 4400 c, d may include a fourth set ofuser controls/displays on a second side and/or a fifth set of usercontrols/displays on a top side. The user interface 4400 c, d may besimilar to, for example, the first user interface/display 4315 a,b ofFIGS. 43A and 43B or either of the user interfaces 4400 a, b of FIGS.44A and 44B, respectively. The user interface 4400 c, d may include atop half 4401 d having, for example, a square (or rectangular) shapedopening 4406 c, 4402 d, and a bottom half 4403 d having, for example, asquare (or rectangular) shaped opening 4404 d. The opening 4406 c, 4402d, 4404 d may be, for example, configured to receive a ball and socket(or knuckle) (e.g., ball and socket (or knuckle) 2935 a of FIG. 29A).Alternatively, the opening 4406 c, 4402 d, 4404 d may be configured toreceive a cup holder, a display, a user interface, etc.

In addition to a chair reorientation control, a user interface 4400 a-dmay include a chair heater control, a chair massage unit control, achair lighting control, a venue lighting control, and/or a chairelectric power management control. A user interface 4400 a-d may be, forexample, communicatively coupled to a powered reclining chair siteand/or a venue operations center (e.g., a powered reclining chair site160, a venue operations center 105, etc. of FIG. 1) and mayautomatically control electric power usage. For example, a userinterface 4400 a-d and/or a powered reclining chair site 160 may beconfigured to automatically turn off and/or limit electric power to atleast one chair accessory (e.g., a chair heater, a chair cooling unit, achair massage unit, a lighting unit, a chair electric power outlet, achair USB port, etc.) when an associated chair, that is electricallyconnected to a common electric power supply, is being reoriented (i.e.,when electric power is being applied to a chair actuator).

A processor of a user interface 4400 a-d may receive movie play data(e.g., movie queue data) from a processor (e.g., processor 167 ofFIG. 1) of a powered reclining chair site 160, and the processor of theuser interface 4400 a-d may automatically control electric power usageof a chair accessory based upon the movie play data. For example, theprocessor of the user interface 4400 a-d may automatically turn off achair accessory (e.g., a chair heater, a chair cooling unit, a chairmassage unit, a chair electric power outlet, a chair USB port, etc.)based upon the movie play data (e.g., when no movie is playing).Alternatively, or additionally, the processor of the user interface 4400a-d may automatically turn on a chair accessory (e.g., a chair lightingunit, a chair information display, etc.) based upon the movie play data(e.g., when no movie is playing).

The processor 167 may automatically control a chair accessory (e.g., achair heater, a chair cooling unit, a chair massage unit, a lightingunit, a chair electric power outlet, a chair USB port, etc.) and/or achair actuator based on movie play data. For example, the processor 167may automatically turn off, or limit electric power, to a chairaccessory when a venue cleaning system is activated (i.e., when a groupof powered recliner chairs are being reoriented via a remote control).Additionally, or alternatively, the processor 167 may automaticallysupply electric power to a chair accessory from an alternative electricpower source (e.g., a solar panel, a battery, a capacitor, etc.) when apowered recliner chair or group of powered recliner chairs is/are beingreoriented. Thereby, the processor 167 (or a processor of a userinterface 4400 a-d) may automatically control an electrical power demandand/or an electric power supply.

The processor 167 may control electric power usage on a macro levelbased upon, for example, movie play data, and any given user interface4400 a-d may control electric power usage on a micro level. For example,a processor 167 may enable operation of a chair accessory based upon themovie play data and a processor of a given user interface 4400 a-d mayautomatically control electric power usage of the chair accessoriesbased upon, for example, whether an occupant of the respective chair isactivating an associated chair actuator. As a specific example, a chairactuator may draw approximately 0.8 Amperes at 110V_(ac) (approximately88 Watts) when the chair actuator is energized and a chair heater maydraw approximately 200-400 Watts when the chair heater is activated. Bydisabling the chair heater while the actuator is energized, theprocessor of the user interface 4400 a-d may limit overall electricpower consumption to the maximum usage of any given chair accessory orchair actuator. Alternatively, or additionally, the processor of theuser interface 4400 a-d may vary electric power to any given chairaccessory based upon which other chair accessories and/or chairactuator(s) are being activated.

In any event, the processor of the user interface 4400 a-d mayautomatically draw electric power from an alternative electric energysource (e.g., a solar panel, a generator, a battery, a capacitor, anuninterruptable power supply, etc.) based upon which chair accessoriesand/or chair actuator(s) are being operated. For example, the processorof the user interface 4400 a-d may automatically turn on/off a chairheater and/or chair cooling unit cyclically, such that a chair occupantdoes not feel any change in temperature, when a chair actuator isenergized.

Turning to FIG. 45, a cup holder assembly 4500 may include a lightsource 4510, and a flange 4505 having a user interface 4506. The cupholder 4500 may include a plurality of light sources configured toilluminate an inside portion of the cup holder 4510 and/or respectivedisplay features. Any given light source may be manually orautomatically controlled. For example, any given light source may beautomatically controlled (e.g., dimmed, brightened, turned on, turnedoff, etc.) based on a venue event, a predetermined time, a motionsensor, etc. The user interface 4506 may include manual controls for thelight sources, chair recline/upright controls, a chair heater control, achair massage control, etc.

With reference to FIGS. 46A-D, an assembly 4600 a-d may include arecliner mechanism structure (RMS) 4605 a-d and at least one arm box4615 a-d. While only one arm box 4615 a-d is shown in FIGS. 46A-D, anassembly 4600 a-d may include two arm boxes (i.e., one on either side ofthe RMS 4605 a-d. A row of powered recliner chairs may include aplurality of assemblies 4600 a-d. In any event, an RMSs may be securedto an associated venue floor via, for example, a pair of front mountingfeet 4610 a and a pair of rear mounting feet 4620 a. An arm box 4615 a-dmay include a first user interface/display 4617 a, a second userinterface display 4618 a, and/or a third user interface/display 4619 a.Any one of the user interfaces/displays 4617 a, 4618 a, 4619 a may besimilar to, for example, a user interface/display 4400 a, b of FIG. 44Aor 44B. Any given front mounting foot 4610 a may include a front arm boxrest 4611 a and any given rear mounting foot 4620 a may include a reararm box rest 4621 a. An RMS may include a movable/removable chair seatframe 2400 similar to, for example, movable/removable chair seat frame4200 of FIGS. 4200a -d.

A chair recliner mechanism structure 4605 a-d and/or an arm box 4615 a-dmay include power cord rack features 4606 c, d, 4607 c, d configured toreceive a power inlet connection (e.g., power inlet connection 4130 a-dof FIGS. 41A-D) or a power outlet connection (e.g., power outletconnection 4135 a-d of FIGS. 41A-D) from a backside or a respectivechair and retain the power inlet connection 4130 a-d and/or the poweroutlet connection 4135 a-d up off an associated floor surface. The powercord rack features 4606 c, d, 4607 c, d may be, for example, hook shapefeatures that allow installation of the power inlet connection 4130 a-dand/or the power outlet connection 4135 a-d, and/or the arm boxes 4615a-d without unplugging the power inlet connection 4130 a-d and/or thepower outlet connection 4135 a-d from an associated power junction box(e.g., power junction box 4125 a-d of FIGS. 41A-D). In fact, a series ofpower inlet connections 4130 a-d and/or power outlet connections 4135a-d may be plugged into respective power junction boxes 4125 a-d whilelaying, for example, on a floor behind a row of associated chairs, andsubsequently the series of power inlet connections 4130 a-d and/or poweroutlet connections 4135 a-d, along with respective power junction boxes4125 a-d, may be set in place with the associated chair reclinermechanism structures 4605 a-d and/or arm boxes 4615 a-d set in place.

An arm box 4615 a-d may include a pair of mounting brackets 4616 a, cand an associated RMS may include a mating pair of mounting brackets4630 b, d configured to secure the arm box proximate the RMS. As shownin FIGS. 46A-D, the arm box may, for example, be slid downward betweentwo adjacent RMSs subsequent to the RMSs being secured to an associatedvenue floor (i.e., each RMS may include a pair of mating mountingbrackets and both sides of the arm box may include a pair of mountingbrackets). Alternatively, or additionally, any given arm box may includeat least one bracket (e.g., a hook shaped bracket and/or a tab)configured to engage, for example, a respective front arm box rest 4611a or a respective rear arm box rest 4621 a. An arm box may be configuredto slide into place from a front side or rear side between, for example,two proximate RMSs. Any given mounting bracket/mating mounting bracket,arm box rest/hook shaped bracket may be wedge shaped, snap fit, securedvia a fastener (e.g., a pin, a screw, an interlock, etc.), and may beconfigured to increase a structural rigidity of a cooperating structure.

Any given mounting foot 4610 a, 4620 a may be secured to an associatedRMS via, for example, two fasteners. When packaging an RMS for shipmentfrom a RMS assembly site to an associated venue, one of each pair offasteners may be removed or loosened, and the respective mounting feet4610 a, 4620 a may be swiveled upward such that the mounting feet areabove a lower most portion of the RMS, thereby, reducing associatedpackage size and/or reducing mounting foot exposure to bending/damage.The mounting feet 4610 a, 4620 a may be pivotally attached to arespective RMS via, for example, a hinge, and the mounting feet 4610 a,4620 a may simply be pivoted from a shipping orientation to aninstallation orientation. Any given mounting bracket/mating mountingbracket, arm box rest/hook shaped bracket may be configured to reduceshipping package size, reduce installation time/complexity, facilitatearm box installation/removal/replacement, increase structuralstrength/rigidity etc.

Any given RMS/arm box rests may be configured to accommodate variouschair widths. For example, the arm box rests 4611 a, 4621 a may be ofsufficient dimension to allow a respective chair seat to extend beyondsides of an RMS and still an arm box will rest on the arm box rests 4611a, 4621 a. Alternatively, a width of any given RMS may be specificallymatched to a respective chair width.

Any given RMS may include a mechanism (e.g., a cable between an ottomanand an actuator, an actuator extend hard stop, an actuator rotation hardstop, a gas-charged piston and actuator) to control movement of a chairback relative to movement of a chair foot rest (or ottoman). Forexample, when a chair is occupied the mechanism may cause the chair backto move further relative to the foot rest compare to when the chair isbeing operated to, for example, clean an associated venue. Thereby, thechair may comply with fire codes while facilitating venue cleaning. Anygiven RMS that includes mechanism to control movement of a chair backrelative to movement of a chair foot rest (or ottoman) may also includea feature (e.g., a solenoid, a spring, etc.) to override the mechanism.Thereby, a respective chair may comply with fire codes whilefacilitating venue cleaning.

Alternatively, or additionally, a RMS may include a mechanism (e.g., acable between an ottoman and an actuator, an actuator extend hard stop,an actuator rotation hard stop, a gas-charged piston and actuator, etc.)to control movement of a chair ottoman. For example, the chair ottomanmay be limited in travel while chair back movement remains unrestricted.The chair ottoman movement limiting mechanism may include springs,dampers or other devices that may reduce a peak loading of controllingmovement of an associated powered recliner chair and/or movement ofcomponents of the chair compared to powered recliner chairs that do notinclude an ottoman movement limiting mechanism.

With reference to FIGS. 47A-E, a mounting foot 4700 a-e may include anRMS attachment 4701 a-c, an arm box rest 4702 a-c, a chair elevation4703 a-c, and a floor attachment 4704 a-c. Any given mounting feet 4700a-e may be configured to facilitate adjustment of an angle of arespective chair relative to a floor angle. For example, a chair may beleveled via adjustment of a pair of front mounting feet 4610 a and apair of rear mounting feet 4620 a.

Turning to FIGS. 48A-H, J and K, a recliner mechanism structure assembly4800 a-h, j, k may include a chair seat frame 4200 movably supported bya recliner mechanism structure 4805 a, an electrical wire support 4840a-g, and an occupant sensor 4850 a, h, j, k. An electrical wire support4840 a-g may include a longitudinally extending slot 4841 c-g forreceiving at least one power and/or data conductor 4842 c, d, 4843 c, d,f. A plurality of electrical wire supports 4840 a-g may be configuredsuch that associated power and/or data conductors 4842 c, d, 4843 c, d,f may be, for example, laid out on a floor of a venue, behind a row ofpowered recliner chairs, and subsequently inserted within the electricalwire supports 4840 a-g.

An occupant sensor 4850 a, h, j, k may include a spring 4851 a, h and/ora spring material 4851 j, k configured to, for example, move a portionof an associated chair (e.g., a chair seat support 4200) such that anassociated occupant sensor 4850 a, h, j, k will indicate that anoccupant has exited an associated chair. An occupant sensor 4850 j, kmay include a timer 4852 j and a plug connection 4854 j, k. The timer4852 j may be configured within an associated chair electrical systemto, for example, prevent momentary activation of an associated occupantsensor 4850 a, h, j, k (i.e., the occupant sensor 4850 a, h, j, k may beactivated for a predetermined time prior to indicating that a chair isoccupied).

An occupant sensor may be incorporated into a smart control module (SCM)in lieu of pressure sensors. For example, an optical beam paired withbeam/receiver module may be included. The beam could originate in onechair SCM and go across a seat width. Thereby, an occupant, in anassociated chair, would break the beam indicating that the occupant ispresent.

With reference to FIGS. 49A-D depict various views of example boosterseat assemblies and related components 4900 a-d. As one example, abooster seat 4965 a, b may be designed for use with powered reclinerchairs 4960 a, b in theaters, arenas and auditoriums, a contoured,pillow-top seating surface 4966 a, 4967 a, 4968 a may provide acomfortable movie watching experience. A large seating surface 4966 a,4966 c may accommodate a variety of human body sizes. The booster seat4965 a may include an elongated foot rest portion 4968 a that may, forexample, cover an associated portion of a chair 4960 a, b. A boosterseat 4965 a, b may include a padded setting portion.

A booster seat 4965 a-d may include at least one cup holder and/or snacktray portion. A booster seat 4965 a-d may include an angled back toconform to a powered recliner chair back when in a partially reclinedorientation. A booster seat 4965 a-d may define an advertising and/orsouvenir that may be sold to a patron. A booster seat 4965 a-d mayinclude a strap and/or hook to secure the booster seat to an associatedchair 4960 a, 4960 b. A booster seat 4965 a-d may include padding and/orfoam to at least partially fill spaces between the booster seat and anassociated chair. A booster seat 4965 a-d may include at least one pouchfor retaining advertising and/or promotional materials related to anassociated venue. A booster seat 4965 c may include molded-in resistanceribs 4968 c may provide stability by gripping a seating surface withoutdamaging the seat 4960 a,b.

A booster seat 4965 a-d may, for example, be constructed of a seamless,molded, plastic with rounded corners. A booster seat set 4900 d mayinclude, for example, thirty-six booster seats 4965 a-d and rolling cart4970 d for easy transportation and storage. Individual booster seat 4965a-d dimensions may be, for example, 16″ D×16½″ W×5″ H (406×419×127 mm).A booster seat stand (or rolling cart) 4970 d may hold, for example,thirty-six individual booster seats 4965 a-d. Alternatively, a boosterseat stand (or rolling cart) 4970 d may hold any number of individualbooster seats 4965 a-d. A booster seat stand (or rolling cart) 4970 dmay be, for example, 18½″ D×16½W×32½″ H (470×419×826 mm), and include ahipping weight of, for example, 70 lbs. Alternatively, a booster seatstand (or rolling cart) 4970 d may include any dimensions and weightdepending on available space and a number of booster seats 4965 a-ddesired.

Turning to FIGS. 50A-F, a display assembly 5000 a-f may include aninformation plate 5015 a, c, e, g removably secured within a receptacle5006 b, d of an associated chair assembly (e.g., a chair bottom 5005 a)such that, for example, when an associated chair seat is in anunoccupied orientation (i.e., tilted up), the information plate isvisible (e.g., oriented as illustrated in FIG. 50A). The chair bottom5005 a may be secured to an associated chair via fasteners 5007 a, d,5008 a, d. Any given fastener 5007 a, d, 5008 a, d may be hidden fromview behind an information plate 5007 a, d, 5008 a, d.

An information plate 5015 a, c, e, g may be placed in a receptacle 5006b, d by, for example flexing the information plate 5015 a, c, e, g andinserting the tabs 5017 c, g, 5018 c, g into a respective hole 5011 b,f, 5012 b, f and then releasing the information plate 5015 a, c, e, gsuch that the information plate 5015 a, c, e, g snaps behind retentionfeatures 5009 b, 5010 b. Thereby, no tools are required to install aninformation plate 5015 a, c, e, g. An information plate 5015 a, c, e, gmay be removed by, for example, inserting a pin (or the like) intoeither, or both of the reside removal holes 5013 f, 5014 f.Alternatively, or additionally, an information plate 5015 a, c, e, g maybe removed from a receptacle 5006 b, d by prying the information plate5015 a, c, e, g from a front side.

An information plate 5015 a, c, e, g may include, for example, a chairnumber 5016 c and/or a row number. Alternatively, or additionally, theinformation plate 5015 a, c, e, g may include any other information,such as, a chair manufacture logo, a venue name or logo, promotionalinformation, information as to whether a ticket has been purchased forthe associated chair, a chair “owner's” information, sponsorinformation, advertising information, etc. An information plate 5015 a,c, e, g/receptacle 5006 b, d may be configured to define a display(e.g., display 3700 a-d of FIGS. 37A-D, display 4300 a, b of FIGS. 43Aand B, display 4400 a, d of FIGS. 44A and B, or display 4500 of FIG.45). An information plate 5015 a, c, e, g/receptacle 5006 b, d mayfurther include at least one sensor component (e.g., an occupancysensor, an occupant pinch-point sensor, a chair location sensor, etc.).An information plate 5015 a, c, e, g may be an etched piece of plasticwith paint in the etched portion, a piece of plastic with a coloredsurface laser etched, a thin piece of metal with an etched portionpainted, a thin piece of metal with a colored surface laser etched, etc.

A receptacle 5006 b, d may be formed within an associated chair assembly(e.g., a chair bottom 5005 a) via an associated mold. Alternatively, oradditionally, a receptacle 5006 b, d may be formed within an associatedchair assembly (e.g., a chair bottom 5005 a) via machining process(e.g., a drill, a router, etc.).

With reference to FIGS. 51A-F, a display assembly 5100 a-f may includean information plate 5115 b, d, f removably secured within a receptacleof an associated chair assembly (e.g., a chair bottom pivot assembly5130 a attached to, for example, a chair standard 5135 a) such that, forexample, when an associated chair seat is in an unoccupied orientation(i.e., tilted up), the information plate is visible (e.g., oriented asillustrated in FIG. 51A).

An information plate 5115 b, d, f may be placed in a receptacle 5106 b,d by, for example flexing the information plate 5115 b, d, f andinserting the tabs 5117 c, g, 5118 c, g into a respective hole 5111 b,f, 5112 b, f and then releasing the information plate 5115 b, d, f suchthat the information plate 5115 b, d, f snaps behind retention features5109 b, 5110 b. Thereby, no tools are required to install an informationplate 5115 b, d, f. An information plate 5115 b, d, f may be removed by,for example, inserting a pin (or the like) into either, or both of thereside removal holes 5113 e, f, 5114 e, f. Alternatively, oradditionally, an information plate 5115 b, d, f may be removed from areceptacle by prying the information plate 5115 b, d, f from a frontside.

An information plate 5115 b, d, f may include, for example, a chairnumber 5116 c and/or a row number. Alternatively, or additionally, theinformation plate 5115 b, d, f may include any other information, suchas, a chair manufacture logo, a venue name or logo, promotionalinformation, information as to whether a ticket has been purchased forthe associated chair, a chair “owner's” information, sponsorinformation, advertising information, etc. An information plate 5115 b,d, f/receptacle 5106 b, d may be configured to define a display (e.g.,display 3700 a-d of FIGS. 37A-D, display 4300 a, b of FIGS. 43A and B,display 4400 a, d of FIGS. 44A and B, or display 4500 of FIG. 45). Aninformation plate 5015 a, c, e, g/receptacle 5006 b, d may furtherinclude at least one sensor component (e.g., an occupancy sensor, anoccupant pinch-point sensor, a chair location sensor, etc.). Aninformation plate 5115 b, d, f may be an etched piece of plastic withpaint in the etched portion, a piece of plastic with a colored surfacelaser etched, a thin piece of metal with an etched portion painted, athin piece of metal with a colored surface laser etched, etc.

A receptacle 5106 b, d may be formed within an associated chair assembly(e.g., a chair seat pivot assembly 5130 a) via an associated mold.Alternatively, or additionally, a receptacle 5106 b, d may be formedwithin an associated chair assembly (e.g., a chair seat pivot assembly5130 a) via machining process (e.g., a drill, a router, etc.).

A thickness of a display circuit board may include a Mylar graphic with,for example, a thickness up to 4 mm. Alternatively, a Mylar graphic a 3mm thickness or 1-2 mm thick. A display may include an injection moldedlight housing including, for example, a length of 11 mm, or as short as6 mm. See if 9 mm. An associated display printed circuit board mayinclude a thickness of approximately 2 mm, with connection pins andcomponents on a backside with a total thickness of, for example, 3 mm.The connection pins may be located away from critical areas, such as, alower edge so the connection pins don not interfere with relatedstructures.

A display 50 a-f, 51 a-f may be configured with an ambient light sensorto control light output of a display. For example, during pre-show ornon-movie times theatre lights may be on such that a seat number canautomatically increase intensity. This may reduce the need to programlight control thru, for example, an associated control network. Thus, aseat number may be bright when needed and dim when it gets dark during ashow. Notably, bright seat lights, during bright sections of the show,may be desirable. A display 50 a-f, 51 a-f may be configured as a “sidedisplay” oriented toward an associated chair. A side display may belocated on both sides of, for example, a shared center armrest.

An occupant sensor may be incorporated within an associated display todetect if the chair is occupied. A sensor may be included within adisplay to indicate when an associated power recliner chair is reclinedand/or extended. For example, symbols may be included within a displayto indicate whether an associated chair is oriented in a reclined and/ornon-reclined orientation. A display may include, for example, reclinepreset positions 1, 2, 3 and 4. A display may include an auto closebutton, an order call button, an emergency call button

A chair may include features such as a massage feature, a vibrationfeature, a volume control for internal speakers, a USB or power port, acommunications port, etc. A side display may be included and may beoriented toward a wall, an aisle, or another chair with its owncontrols. A display 50 a-f, 51 a-f may include aisle lights, a rownumber/letter, an adults with disabilities (ADA) designation, anindicator when associated chairs are in a venue cleaning mode, a calllight indicator for a patron/chair needing service in that row, etc.

A remote control may, for example, include fifteen individual buttons: 1extend, 2 retract, 3 retract all the way home, 4 go to ¼ open, 5 go to ½open, 6 go to full extend, 7 under seat lights on/off, 8 isle lighton/off, 9 all lights on/off, 13 calibrate, and 14 set full extendposition. After calibration a full extend soft stop may be set such thatmovement of an associated chairs does not ram into a hard stop. ¼ and ½open may be set from an associated hard stop. A chair may be manuallymove to a desired position and a button may be pushed to set the desiredposition. Subsequently, the associated seat will not extend further thanthe set position using the extend on the seat switch (activation of aremote may still go all the way.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) may be incorporated into, forexample, a chair arm box such that the assembly may be delivered to avenue pre-assembled. Feedback from a chair, or group of chairs, may beprovided to a central venue system to indicate chair occupancy, chairovercurrent conditions, UPS status/health, chair orientation status,etc. A chair actuator current may be determined based on pulse width ofan applied electrical signal. A power supply may supply power to a groupof four, or more chairs. A position sensor (e.g., a global positioningsensor) may be included in a chair such that, for example, a venuesystem may automatically determine a physical location of the givenchair within the venue and/or one chair may determine a relativelocation of another chair. At least one energy storage device may beconnected to, for example, an output of an electric power supply, or maybe incorporated within an uninterruptible power supply connected to aninput of the electric power supply. The at least one energy storagedevice may include at least one of: a battery or a capacitor. Theelectric power supply and the at least one energy storage device mayprovide electric power to, for example, electric motors of respectiveactuators.

With reference to FIGS. 52A-C, an example mounting foot 5205 a-c for usein a powered recliner chair assembly 5200 a-c may include a long portion5206 a-c and a short portion 5208 a-c. The long portion 5206 a-c may beconnected to the short portion 5208 a-c at, for example, a ninety degreeangle. The long portion 5206 a-c may include first slotted holes 5207a-c. The short portion 5208 a-c may include second slotted holes 5209a-c.

When a mounting foot engagement pin 5211 a of an associated poweredrecliner chair assembly 5200 a-c is received within a first slotted hole5207 a-c, a respective portion 5210 a of the powered recliner chairassembly 5200 a-c is farther from an associated chair support surfacethan when the engagement pin 5211 a of the associated powered reclinerchair assembly 5200 a-c is received within a second slotted hole 5209a-c. Thereby, a height of the associated powered recliner chair assembly5200 a-c may be changed by reorienting associated mounting feet 5205a-c. For example, a powered recliner chair assembly 5200 a-c may belevely installed on a sloped chair support surface by orienting twofront mounting feet 5205 a-c with associated chair front engagement pins5211 a received within a respective first slotted hole 5206 a-c andassociated chair rear engagement pins 5211 a received within arespective second slotted hole 5209 a-c.

Turning to FIGS. 53A-E, a chair assembly 5300 a-e may include a chairstandard 5305 a-d with mounting feet 5307 a-e and folding tray assemblyattachment plate brackets 5306 a-d. The chair assembly 5300 a-e may alsoinclude a folding tray assembly attachment plate 5310 a-e having astandard connection bracket 5311 a-e and attachment holes 5312 a-econfigured to attach the folding tray assembly attachment plate 5310 a-eto the chair standard 5305 a-e. The chair assembly 5300 a-e may furtherinclude a foldable tray 5315 a-e pivotally attached to a tray swivel5320 a-e via a tray pivot 5325 a-e. The foldable tray 5315 a-e may be,for example, configured to pivot between an in use orientation (e.g., anin use orientation as shown in FIG. 53A) and an intermediate orientation(e.g., an in intermediate orientation as shown in FIG. 54A). The trayswivel 5320 a-e is swively connected to the folding tray assemblyattachment plate 5310 a-e. The foldable tray 5315 a-e may be, forexample, configured to swivel between the intermediate orientation(e.g., an in intermediate orientation as shown in FIG. 54A) and a stowedorientation (e.g., a stowed orientation wherein the foldable tray 5315a-e is position alongside the standard 5405 a-e and/or alongside thefolding tray assembly attachment plate 5410 a-e).

With further reference to FIGS. 53C-53E, the foldable tray 5315 c-e maybe attached to a tray bracket 5316 c-e. The tray bracket 5316 c-e may bepivotally connected to the tray swivel 5320 c-e via a pivot pin 5322 d,eand pivot 5317 d,e/5324 e,e. A tray pivot bias spring 5323 d,e may beincluded to bias the tray 5315 a-e in the intermediate orientation oncethe tray is manually oriented into the intermediate orientation. Thechair assembly 5300 a-e may further include a tray swivel piston 5340c-e/5341 c-e connected to the tray swivel 5320 c-e via a keeper 5321d,e. The tray swivel piston 5340 c-e/5341 c-e may be configured toabsorb energy (e.g., absorb energy via a spring 5340 c-e as the foldabletray 5315 a-e begins to reorient from the intermediate orientationtoward a stowed orientation, and to bias the foldable tray 5315 a-e inthe stowed orientation once the foldable tray 5315 a-e is nearly in thestowed orientation. As shown in FIG. 53C, a first end 5344 c of a rod5341 c may travel within a channel 5343 c of the tray swivel 5320 a-ewhile the tray swivel 5320 a-e reorients from the intermediateorientation toward a stowed orientation, and to bias the foldable tray5315 a-e in the stowed orientation once the foldable tray 5315 a-e isnearly in the stowed orientation. Likewise a second end 5342 c of therod 5341 c travels within the spring 5340 c while the tray swivel 5320a-e reorients from the intermediate orientation toward a stowedorientation (charging the spring), and the spring 5340 c discharges tobias the foldable tray 5315 a-e in the stowed orientation once thefoldable tray 5315 a-e is nearly in the stowed orientation.

The chair assembly 5300 a-e may include an armrest 5335 a-e connected tothe standard 5305 a-e via an arm bracket 5330 a-e. While a top surfaceof the foldable tray 5315 a is shown in FIG. 53A to form a planarrelationship with a top surface of the armrest 5335 a-e when thefoldable tray 5315 a-e is in an in use orientation, the top surface ofthe foldable tray 5315 a-e may be located above or below the top surfaceof the armrest 5335 a-d by changing a dimension of the armrest 5335 a-e,the arm bracket 5330 a-e and/or be altering a shape of the tray swivel5320 a-e. For example, the foldable tray 5315 a-e may be raised toprovide a chair occupant more space under the foldable tray 5315 a-e.

The foldable tray 5315 a-e, the tray pivot 5325 a-e, the tray swivel5320 a-e and/or the folding tray assembly attachment plate 5310 a-e maybe shipped to a chair assembly 5300 a-e installation separately from anassociated chair standard 5305 a-e. Thereby, an associated shippingcontainer size may be reduced when compared to a shipping containerassociated with shipping a complete chair assembly 5300 a-e.

With reference to FIGS. 54A-G, a chair assembly 5400 a-g may include achair standard 5405 a-g with mounting feet 5407 a-g and structuralreinforcement plate brackets 5406 a-g. The chair assembly 5400 a-g mayalso include a structural reinforcement plate 5410 a-g having a standardconnection bracket 5411 a-g and attachment holes 5412 a-g configured toattach the structural reinforcement plate 5410 a-g to the chair standard5405 a-g. The chair assembly 5400 a-g may further include a foldabletray 5415 a-g pivotally attached to a tray swivel 5420 a-g via a traypivot 5425 a-g. The foldable tray 5415 a-g may be, for example,configured to pivot between an in use orientation (e.g., an in useorientation as shown in FIG. 53A) and an intermediate orientation (e.g.,an in intermediate orientation as shown in FIG. 54A). The tray swivel5420 a-g may be swively connected to the folding tray attachment bracket5430 a-g. The foldable tray 5415 a-g may be, for example, configured toswivel between the intermediate orientation (e.g., an in intermediateorientation as shown in FIG. 54A) and a stowed orientation (e.g., astowed orientation wherein the foldable tray 5415 a-d is positionalongside the standard 5405 a-d and/or alongside the folding trayassembly attachment plate 5410 a-d, or within an arm box when, forexample, the folding tray assembly is incorporated within a chair (e.g.,a powered recliner chair) having an arm box).

With further reference to FIGS. 54E-54G, the foldable tray 5415 e-g maybe attached to a tray bracket 5416 e-g. The tray bracket 5416 f,g may bepivotally connected to the tray swivel 5420 e-g via a pivot pin 5422 f,gand pivot 5417 f,g/5424 f,g. A tray pivot bias spring 5423 f,g may beincluded to bias the tray 5415 a-g in the intermediate orientation oncethe tray is manually oriented into the intermediate orientation. Thechair assembly 5400 a-g may further include a tray swivel piston 5440f,g/5441 f,g connected to the tray swivel 5420 f,g via a keeper 5421f,g. The tray swivel piston 5440 f,g/5441 f,g may be configured toabsorb energy as the foldable tray 5415 a-g begins to reorient from theintermediate orientation toward a stowed orientation, and to bias thefoldable tray 5415 a-g in the stowed orientation once the foldable tray5415 a-g is nearly in the stowed orientation. As shown in FIG. 54F, afirst end 5344 f of a rod 5341 f may travel within a channel 5343 f ofthe tray swivel 5320 a-g while the tray swivel 5320 a-g reorients fromthe intermediate orientation toward a stowed orientation (charging thespring), and the spring 5340 f discharges to bias the foldable tray 5315a-g in the stowed orientation once the foldable tray 5315 a-g is nearlyin the stowed orientation. Likewise a second end 5342 f of the rod 5341f travels within the spring 5340 f while the tray swivel 5320 a-greorients from the intermediate orientation toward a stowed orientation,and to bias the foldable tray 5315 a-g in the stowed orientation oncethe foldable tray 5315 a-g is nearly in the stowed orientation.

The foldable tray 5415 a-g, the tray pivot 5425 a-g and/or the trayswivel 5420 a-g may be shipped to a chair assembly 5400 a-g installationseparately from an associated chair standard 5405 a-g. Thereby, anassociated shipping container size may be reduced when compared to ashipping container associated with shipping a complete chair assembly5400 a-g.

The chair assembly 5400 a-g may include adjustment features 5417 f,g,5418 f,g and 5419 f,g configured to enable adjustments to compensate formanufacturing dimension variations and/or component wear.

The chair assembly 5400 a-g may include an armrest 5435 a-g connected tothe standard 5405 a-g via an arm bracket 5430 a-g. While a top surfaceof the foldable tray 5415 a-g to form a planar relationship with a topsurface of the armrest 5435 a-g (similar to a top surface of foldabletray 5315 a and top surface of armrest 5335 a as shown in FIG. 53A) whenthe foldable tray 5415 a-g is in an in use orientation, the top surfaceof the foldable tray 5415 a-g may be located above or below the topsurface of the armrest 5435 a-g by changing a dimension of the armrest5435 a-g, the arm bracket 5430 a-g and/or be altering a shape of thetray swivel 5420 a-g. For example, the foldable tray 5415 a-g may beraised to provide a chair occupant more space under the foldable tray5415 a-g.

Any given chair assembly (e.g., an arm box, an arm rest, an ottoman, achair seat, a chair back, etc.) may include at least on area for a chairoccupant to store at least one item (e.g., a purse, gloves, a hat, ascarf, a coat, etc.) without the need to occupy valuable space within anoccupant portion of chair seat area of the chair. Alternatively, oradditionally, a chair assembly may include a hook, a protrusion, and/orother feature to allow an item to be hung from, for example, a snacktray or an arm box. The feature may be retractable or permanentlylocated. The feature may be part of a snack tray surface, or supportstructure. Alternatively, or additionally, a hook, protrusion, recess orother feature to allow an item to be hung from or located within an armbox, recliner back or recliner seat. The feature may be: retractable orpermanently located; part of or attached to any arm box surface orfeature such as but not limited to the forward facing, rearward facing,upward facing or side facing feature; and/or part of cup holder, snacktray, display or other feature permanently or temporarily part of thearm box. A feature may be: enclose or lockable to provide additionalsecurity, constructed for internal viewing examples include meshenclosures of recesses with see-thru materials, include lights or otherindicators to inform the patron of the presence of items, and/or may beexternally controllable to open to reveal the presence of items.Examples of external control of a feature may include, but are notlimited to, ability to be automatically opened when a chair occupantexits the chair, at the end of a performance, and/or from some otherremote signal. A recliner seating surface that includes surfaces at acomplimentary angle to a chair occupant may include sitting/recliningsurfaces that move up or down and/or that rotate to complement anoccupant experience. Examples include but are not limited to: an armrestthat is lowered so adjacent seating surfaces may be shared, an armrestsurface is lowered or raised to facilitate or prevent contact betweenadjacent patrons, movement of features so cup holder(s), controls,lights, etc. functions are maintained or enhanced by said movement,and/or movement of features to increase patron area. For example, asurface that may include controls, cup holders, purse hooks etc. rotatesto provide increase space while still presenting the controls to thepatron. The cup holder could rotate independently to still provide a useposition. An armrest may raise or lower presenting area(s) of increasedspace for the patron or their articles. These areas may or may notinclude any of the enhancements noted above.

Any given chair assembly may include a foot rest on a back of a chair infront of a particular chair and/or a retractable foot rest from a frontof the particular chair. Additionally, any given chair assembly mayinclude a powered snack tray in back of chair in front of a particularchair and/or a powered snack tray in a “desk” in front of the particularchair.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been explained inrelation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to beunderstood that many other possible modifications and variations can bemade without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is,therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will coversuch modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric powered chair assembly controlsystem, the system comprising: a controller having at least one chairactuator output and at least one chair heater output; a user interfaceconnected to the controller, wherein the user interface includes atleast one chair actuator user control and at least one chair heater usercontrol; and an electric power supply having an electric power supplyinput and an electric power supply output, wherein the electric powersupply is mounted within a first electric powered chair assembly,wherein a first set of electric wiring extends from the electric powersupply output to a first electric actuator mounted within the firstelectric powered chair assembly, wherein a second set of electric wiringextends from the electric power supply output to a first electric chairheater mounted within the first electric powered chair assembly, whereinthe controller is configured to control the first electric actuator, viathe at least one chair actuator output, based on the at least one chairactuator user control, wherein the controller is configured to controlthe electric chair heater, via the at least one chair heater output,based on the at least one chair heater user control, and wherein thecontroller is configure to de-energize the first electric chair heaterwhen the first electric actuator is energized.
 2. The system of claim 1,further comprising: an electrical energy storage device.
 3. The systemof claim 2, further comprising: an electric energy storage devicecharger connected to the electric energy storage device and configuredto charge the electric energy storage device.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the electric energy storage device charger is connected to anoutput of the electric power supply.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinthe user interface further includes a first chair actuator statusindicator.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface furtherincludes a first chair heater status indicator.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein at least one of: the at least one chair actuator user controlor the at least one chair heater user control, is illuminated.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the controller further includes at least oneof: a safety sensor input, an occupancy sensor input, an isleillumination output, or a row illumination output.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the controller further includes a remote control input,wherein the controller is configured to reorient a plurality of poweredrecliner chairs in response to a user activating the remote control. 10.An electric powered chair assembly control system, the systemcomprising: an electric power supply having an input and an output,wherein the electric power supply is mounted within a first electricpowered chair assembly, wherein an input voltage rating of the input ishigher than an output voltage rating of the output, wherein a first setof electric wiring extends from the output of the electric power supplyto a first electric actuator mounted within the first electric poweredchair assembly, wherein a second set of electric wiring extends from theoutput of the electric power supply to a second electric actuatormounted within the first electric powered chair assembly, wherein athird set of electric wiring extends from a second electric poweredchair assembly to the first electric powered chair assembly, and whereinthe electric power supply further includes at least one of: an electricenergy storage device output or a chair heater output.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, further comprising: an electric energy storage device chargerconnected to the electric energy storage device output.
 12. The systemof claim 10, wherein the electric energy storage device is connected toan output of the electric energy storage device charger.
 13. The systemof claim 10, wherein the input voltage rating of the input is associatedwith an alternating current rating and the output voltage rating of theoutput is associated with a direct current rating.
 14. The system ofclaim 10, further comprising: a fourth set of electric wiring extendingfrom the output of the electric power supply to a pushbutton mountedwithin the first electric powered chair assembly, wherein the pushbuttonis configured to reorient the first electric powered chair assembly whena user activates the pushbutton.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein thepushbutton is illuminated.
 16. The system of claim 10, wherein theelectric power supply further includes at least one of: a safety sensorinput, an occupancy sensor input, an isle illumination output, or a rowillumination output.
 17. An electric powered chair assembly controlsystem, the system comprising: a controller having at least one chairactuator output and at least one chair heater output; and a userinterface connected to the controller, wherein the user interfaceincludes at least one chair actuator user control and at least one chairheater user control, wherein the controller is configured to control thefirst electric actuator, via the at least one chair actuator output,based on the at least one chair actuator user control, wherein thecontroller is configured to control the electric chair heater, via theat least one chair heater output, based on the at least one chair heateruser control, and wherein the controller is configure to de-energize thefirst electric chair heater when the first electric actuator isenergized.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising: an electricalenergy storage device.
 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:an electric energy storage device charger connected to the electricenergy storage device and configured to charge the electric energystorage device.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the user interfacefurther includes a first chair actuator status indicator.
 21. The systemof claim 17, wherein the user interface further includes a first chairheater status indicator.
 22. The system of claim 17, wherein at leastone of: the at least one chair actuator user control or the at least onechair heater user control, is illuminated.
 23. The system of claim 17,wherein the controller further includes at least one of: a safety sensorinput, an occupancy sensor input, an isle illumination output, or a rowillumination output.
 24. The system of claim 17, wherein the controllerfurther includes a remote control input, wherein the controller isconfigured to reorient a plurality of powered recliner chairs inresponse to a user activating the remote control.
 25. An electricpowered chair assembly control system, the system comprising: acontroller having at least one chair actuator output and at least onechair heater output; a user interface connected to the controller,wherein the user interface includes at least one chair actuator usercontrol and at least one chair heater user control, wherein thecontroller is configured to control the first electric actuator, via theat least one chair actuator output, based on the at least one chairactuator user control, wherein the controller is configured to controlthe electric chair heater, via the at least one chair heater output,based on the at least one chair heater user control, and wherein thecontroller is configure to de-energize the first electric chair heaterwhen the first electric actuator is energized; and an electrical energystorage device connected to the controller.
 26. The system of claim 25,further comprising: an electric energy storage device charger connectedto the electric energy storage device and configured to charge theelectric energy storage device.
 27. The system of claim 25, wherein theuser interface further includes a first chair actuator status indicator.28. The system of claim 25, wherein the user interface further includesa first chair heater status indicator.
 29. The system of claim 25,wherein at least one of: the at least one chair actuator user control orthe at least one chair heater user control, is illuminated.
 30. Thesystem of claim 25, wherein the controller further includes at least oneof: a safety sensor input, an occupancy sensor input, an isleillumination output, or a row illumination output.